As the start of the holiday season has arrived for many, it’s important to remember that while it’s a season for celebrations, it’s also a time when electrical hazards can be particularly scary. Before you decorate for the holidays, our friends at Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electrical are sharing some tips to help you do it safely, and save you some money!
Save Money And Avoid Disasters With These Holiday Decorating Tips
- Never put decoration on or near utility equipment: This includes poles, transformers, AC units, etc.
- Inspect each electrical cord of lights and decorations before use: Look for damage such as cracked, frayed or bare wires, damaged sockets or loose connections that can lead to shocks. If a cord is hot, don’t use it.
- Plug decoration into a power strip with an on/off switch: When it’s time for bed, flip the switch to cut the lights off and avoid any energy vampires.
- Use the proper clips for securing lights and decorations: Staples and nails can damage electrical cords.
- Decorative lights should be approved by Underwriter’s Laboratory and carry a UL seal on the tag: Red UL marks indicate the lights are approved for indoor or outdoor use, while green UL tags indicate approval for indoor use only.
- Indoor lights should not touch window treatments, carpet or furniture.
- Replace traditional candles with flame-free options: These include flashlights, battery-operated candles or glow sticks to light up your jack-o’-lanterns or seasonal decor.
- Keep flammable decorations, like cornstalks and bales of hay, far away from any open flames or heat sources: They should not be located near candles, heaters and light bulbs.
Want to see the best holiday light displays in the Austin area? Each year, we post a full list of every light display around. Stay tuned for an updated guide coming soon!
Featured photo via M Stock on iStock.
