Be safe and sound when stringing holiday lights

Few holiday traditions are as aesthetically appealing as lighting a house and Christmas tree. Neighborhood passersby often delight in a well-lit holiday home, and some neighborhoods even have contests among residents as to who can create the most festive holiday lighting display.
But as fun as stringing up and designing a holiday lighting scheme can be, it can be equally dangerous as well. Film fans are well aware of Clark Griswold’s hysterical efforts to string up holiday lights in the comedy classic “Christmas Vacation.” But as oddball and over-the-top as those efforts were, they’ve also hit home for many who have had accidents stringing up holiday lights in years past.
Consider the fact that Christmas trees account for roughly 200 fires annually — mostly from electrical lights or open flames from candles — causing more than $6 million in property damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. In addition, each year plays witness to thousands of visits to local emergency rooms resulting from falls that happen when stringing up holiday lights.
But for every person who visits the emergency room after a fall, there are thousands more who make it through the season safe and sound. To do just that, consider the following holiday lighting safety tips, courtesy of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
• Check that outdoor lights — and extension cords — are designed for outdoor use, and be sure to look for the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label on the lights. The label indicates that the product has been tested for safety hazards.
• Inspect lights for any damages, such as frayed strings, exposed wires, loose connections, or any broken or cracked sockets. Damaged sets are a fire and safety hazard, so replace any sets with any of the aforementioned problems.
• Minimize extension cord use, plugging lights directly into the electrical sockets whenever possible. Check the fuse box to determine how many amps your circuit can handle safely.
• Routinely feel electrical cords around the house and unplug any that feel too warm.
• Turn off lights when you are away from home and when you’re asleep. Even if only for a midday cat nap, unplug all lights just to be safe.
• Do not strand more than three light sets together.
• Do not use electric lights with a metallic tree. Touch alone can lead to a deadly electrical shock.
• Prevent wind damage to bulbs by securely attaching all outdoor lights to the house, walls or other firm objects..
• Do not conceal cords under floor mats or rugs. This can lead to trips and falls.
• When hanging lights, always emphasize safety and have a helper on hand. The ladder should be sitting level, and when hanging lights, stand centered on the rails of the ladder. When placing the ladder, both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the CPSC recommend extending it at least three feet beyond the roofline. In addition, for every four feet the ladder extends up, space the base of the ladder one foot away from the wall.
• Keep all lighting decorations out of reach of children and pets. Children may be intrigued by the lights and be tempted to play with the wires or the bulbs, while the family pet might chew or pull on cords.
• Be especially careful with candles. Candles are an obvious fire hazard, so avoid placing them near trees, decorations and wrapping paper and do not put them in a place where they can be knocked down or blown over.

CAPTION: Holiday lighting displays are a popular and aesthetically appealing tradition, but homeowners must practice caution when stringing up lights.