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Deck the Halls Safely This Year
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (November 22, 2006) –The joys of the holidays can easily overshadow the dangers that accompany this season so Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation reminds its members to think safety when decorating this season.
Each year, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the number of house fires dramatically increases due to holiday decorations. The United States Fire Administration reports an average of 200 fires a year with Christmas trees as the source.
Take caution when decorating your house for the holiday season. Blue Ridge Electric offers the following helpful tips to make sure your holiday is a happy and safe one:
Decorating for the holiday season
- Before decorating, read and follow the manufacturers’ instructions concerning installation and maintenance of all decorative electrical products.
- Use lights and other electrical decorations certified by a recognized independent testing laboratory such as CSA, UL, or ETL.
- Outdoors, use lights and other electrical decorations certified for outdoor use.
- Check strings of lights for broken bulbs or exposed wires. Dispose of any that are frayed or broken.
- Always unplug electrical decorations before replacing light bulbs or fuses.
- Remember that miniature light bulbs are generally safer than larger bulbs because they produce less heat.
- Do not mount or support light strings that might damage the cord's insulation.
- Never nail or staple light strings or extension cords.
- Do not connect more than three light string sets together.
- Light strings with screw-in bulbs should have no more than 50 bulbs connected together.
- Do not overload extension cords – they can overheat and start a fire. Keep all outdoor extension cords and light strings clear of snow and standing water.
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights.
- Do not allow children or pets to play with electrical decorations. Even small light decorations can produce a fatal shock if they are misused.
- Turn off all electrical decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
- Plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable GFCIs can be purchased wherever electrical supplies are sold.
- When purchasing a Christmas tree look for one that is fresh. If needles are dry or drooping, the tree may be more susceptible to catch fire.
- If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it is fire-retardant.
- Be sure to center your tree in the tree stand and securely tighten the bolts or screws so that the tree does not fall over.
- Position the tree at least three feet from furnaces, radiators and fireplaces.
- Make sure your tree stays adequately watered.
- When selecting exterior lights, check the package to make sure they are approved for outdoor locations.
- Buy only non-combustible or flame-resistant decorations for your tree.
- Turn off all exterior and interior lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
- Discard all wrapping paper, bows and boxes immediately after opening gifts. Remnants located near open flame could easily catch fire. Small bows or ribbons may also cause a child to choke.
- Before lighting a fire, remove all decorations and greenery from fireplace area.
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