Blue Ridge Electric Offers Holiday Safety Tips
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (December 19, 2000) – Holiday lighting is a popular tradition. However, faulty and worn holiday electrical lighting increases the chances for household accidents - especially fire. The U.S. Fire Administration predicts that 12,000 fires will occur across the nation during December 24 through December 26. Christmas trees are particularly vulnerable to fire. The agency reported there was an average of 1.2 Christmas tree fires per day during December 1 through 14 1996 -1998. That number jumped to 7.7 fires a day from December 15 through January 1.
To help ensure area residents enjoy a bright and safe holiday season, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation cooperative offers the following holiday electric safety tips:
- Use only UL-approved lights.
- Connect no more than three strands of lights together.
- Use miniature lights-they have cooler-burning bulbs.
- Turn off the Christmas lights when you sleep or leave your home.
- Never use candles on your Christmas tree.
- Use only outdoor lights outside your home.
- Examine light strings each year and discard worn ones.
- Fasten the bulbs securely and point the sockets down to avoid moisture build up.
- Never use indoor extension cords outside.
- Avoid overloading wall outlets and extension cords.
- Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground and out of puddles and snow.
- Wrap a plastic bag around light strand connections and tie ends with Teflon tape.
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.
- Make sure your Christmas tree has plenty of water
When replacing a bulb on a light string, ensure the voltage and/or wattage marked on the light set is compatible with the replacement light. Unplug the light string before you replace the bulb so there is no danger of shock. And don't forget to remove outdoor lighting as soon as the season is over. Even these lights are not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to the elements.
These tips are offered with the best holiday wishes from Blue Ridge Electric, your local member-owned electric utility serving over 60,000 members in northwest North Carolina.
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