'Tis the Season to be safe, save & give

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Tis’ the Season …To be Safe
Holiday lights and electrical decorations create a warm and festive atmosphere both inside and outside the home - but they can also create fire hazards and electrical shock risks, if they are not handled properly.

Have a safe and happy holiday when you keep these safety tips in mind while decorating for the holidays:

• Inspect holiday lights and extension cords before decorating. Replace any that are fraying or otherwise damaged. Pay special attention to lights, cords or decorations that may have been damaged from winter weather conditions.

• Check for red or green UL marks on all light strings and extension cords. The green holographic UL Mark means the light strings should be used only indoors. The red holographic UL Mark indicates the light strings can be used both inside and out -- and can withstand conditions related to outdoor use.

• Follow manufacturer's guidelines for stringing light sets together. As a general rule, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recommends using no more than three standard-size sets of lights together.

• Do not overload extension cords or electrical receptacles.

• Unplug all holiday lights when you go to sleep or leave home.

• Automatic lighting timers can be used to ensure that lights are not left on. These are available for both indoor and outdoor applications.

• Roll up excess electrical cords and keep them away from high traffic areas. Do not run electrical cords under rugs.

• Never keep an extension cord plugged in when it is not in use. When replacing a light bulb, make sure that the replacement bulb is of equal or lesser wattage than that recommended by the manufacturer.

•When hanging outdoor decorations, keep ladders away from power lines.

(Courtesy of Home Safety Council)

….To Save

•Decorate with LED lights or at least miniature lights.  Large traditional colored bulbs will cost you!

•Cook with glass or ceramic pans- you can turn your oven temperature down and food will cook just as quickly

•Don’t open the oven door.  Turn on the oven light to check.  Opening the oven door lowers the temperature and increases cooking time and wastes energy

•As long as your oven is on, cook several items at the same time.

•Use the energy-saving cycle on your dishwasher and other appliances

•Remember washing dishes by hand uses considerably more water than using your dishwasher

…To Give

•Buy an Energy Star appliance- they make a great gift. Remember small appliances are great energy savers all year long

•Brighten someone’s holiday by giving them a compact fluorescent light bulb

•Recycle you Christmas Trees during the annual Grinding of the Greens.  It’s your gift to the environment

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