Holiday Safety

1. Lights are rated for indoor or outdoor use. Read the package instructions, and never exceed the recommended wattage.
2. Buy decorations with the mark of an accredited certification agency. Visit esasafe.com for a full listing.
3. No more than three light strings can be safely connected together in most cases — read manufacturers’ instructions for directions.
4. Make sure bulbs don’t touch supply cords, wires, cloth, paper, or any material.
5. Use the proper clips for securing lights and decorations. Staples and nails can damage electrical cords!
6. Check for overhead powerlines before using a ladder outside or when you’re hanging lights on trees.
7. Watch that children don’t put electrical decorations or cords in their mouths.
8. Keep an eye on pets – they may chew or damage electrical cords.
9. Turn off holiday lights and decorations when you leave the house or go to bed.
10. Holiday decorations aren’t designed for year-round use and can deteriorate over time. Take them down when the holidays are over.

• Inspect and replace damaged electrical products.
• Avoid plugging too many decorations into an outlet. Overloaded circuits can start a fire.
• Use GFCI-protected receptacles to protect you from shock when plugging in outdoors.
• Make sure your outdoor receptacle has a special cover to help protect against the elements even when a cord is left plugged in.
• Never remove the third prong on plugs — this “grounding pin” prevents shock in the event of electrical equipment failure.
• Don’t run extension cords under carpets, through doorways, or in places where they can be damaged by furniture.
• Keep outdoor connections above ground and out of puddles; don’t run them across driveways or walkways.

When starting your holiday décor shopping for lighting, decorations or gifts, keep electrical safety in mind by using this checklist.

Ensure lights and extension cords are approved for use in Ontario and are rated for where you’re planning to use them, either indoors or outdoors. Look for the mark of an accredited certification agency – see the complete list at esasafe.com. This shows they’ve been tested and meet safety standards.

Before you shop

• Examine last year’s decorations for signs of wear and tear.
• Replace damaged electrical products including cords, lights and decorations with new ones.

Shopping list

Gift buying

If you decide to buy electronics for someone special on your holiday gift giving list, make sure:

• Electronic gifts have been purchased from reputable retail outlets.
• They bear the mark of an accredited certification agency. Visit esasafe.com for a complete list.

Remember

• Watch that children don’t put electrical decorations or cords in their mouths.
• Keep an eye on pets that may chew or damage electrical cords.
• Never remove the third-prong from any electrical product – this is a “grounding pin” that works to prevent electric shock in the event of electrical equipment failure.
• Before turning in for bed and when leaving the house, turn off or unplug holiday lights and electrical decorations.
• Refer to ESA’s Safety Guide for Installing Holiday Decorations for more safety tips.

Installation guide

• No more than three light strings can be safely connected together in most cases. Read manufacturer’s instructions for directions.
• Avoid overloading circuits with plugs and extension cords as this can create overheating that could result in a fire. Fuses that frequently blow, or circuits that trip often, can be a sign of overloading.
• Outdoor decorations should be plugged into receptacles protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) – these are designed to cut off the flow of electricity to avoid shock hazards if a ground fault occurs.
• Look up. Check for overhead power lines when using a ladder to install lights or decorations on roofs or in trees.