Safe ways to light up your home for the holidays | HomeWork

Q: Can you offer some holiday-light safety tips?

A: Holiday lighting makes long winter nights seem brighter and more festive. No wonder we love it!

A recent Electrical Safety Foundation consumer survey found that more than 86 percent of Americans decorate their homes as part of their winter holiday celebrations.

Almost two-thirds use electrical lights in their indoor decorating, and more than half use lighted decorations outside their homes. More than 60 percent use at least one extension cord.

According to estimates by the National Fire Protection Association, holiday lights and other decorative lighting with line voltage are involved in an average of 160 home-structure fires each year.

Those incidents cause an average of nine deaths, 13 injuries and $9 million in property damage annually. Electrical failures or malfunctions are factors in two-thirds of those fires.

Following a few safety guidelines will minimize the risks so your holiday season is both bright and safe.

Each year, inspect all electrical decorations before using them. Cracked or damaged sockets, bare wires and loose connections can cause a serious shock or start a fire.

Candles start almost half of all home fires related to decorations, so its important to minimize the risk.

Consider using battery-operated candles in place of traditional candles. If you do use a real candle, never leave an open flame unattended, and keep burning candles within sight at all times.

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Safe ways to light up your home for the holidays | HomeWork