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(Idaho Power News Brief, November 28, 2023)
Hundreds of fires and injuries occur each year from holiday decorations, so add this safety checklist from Idaho Power to your list of pre-holiday preparations.
- Use LED lights, which are more efficient and safer than incandescent bulbs because they produce less heat.
- Use battery-operated, flameless candles instead of traditional candles.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct number of light strands to connect.
- Inspect power/extension cords and light strings, and replace anything that’s damaged or frayed.
- Don’t place cords where they can be damaged by walking on them, where people can trip on them, or where damage can go unnoticed — like under rugs, through windows, or on the sidewalk.
- Don’t overload outlets or power strips, and don’t plug electric heaters into power strips.
- Plug outdoor lights (rated for outdoor use) into ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected outlets.
- When hanging holiday lights using a ladder, have a spotter and always maintain three points of contact.
For more seasonal safety tips, visit idahopower.com/safety.
