Holiday safety

Each year, more than 1,000 home structure fires begin with holiday decorations. Before you hang holiday decorations, consider these safety tips from AES Indiana.

Use the right lights

— Check whether your lights are designated for indoor or outdoor use and use appropriately.
Damage check

— Look for fraying or damage on light cords and sockets. If you see damage, replace the light strand.
Don't overload

— You can be festive with lots of lights, just be sure you don't overload your electrical circuits.
Limit three

— Don't string together more than three strands of incandescent lights on a single extension cord.
Look up for power lines

— When hanging lights around your roof line or in trees, be sure to survey the area for overhead power lines and maintain at least a ten-foot distance.
Be grounded

— Plug outdoor lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
Avoid fire hazards

— Never leave burning candles unattended.
Care for your tree

— If decorating a live tree, make sure it is fresh when you purchase it and keep it well-watered to help prevent drying.
Children and pet safety

— Place lights, strings, ribbon, dreidels, and breakable ornaments out of the reach of children and pets.
Use LED lights

— In addition to energy-savings benefits, LEDs stay cool to the touch, reducing the risk of fire. LEDs are also made of epoxy, not glass, so they are more resistant to breakage.