ComEd: 'Tis the Season for Holiday Tips - Part 1

Now that it's December and the holiday season is in full swing, there is a lot of advice out there on decorating for the season safely. I've already posted TXU's tips for safe holiday lighting. However, I think you can never get too much good advice, so I thought I would share some tips from ComEd as well.

Decorative Lighting:

• Only decorate with lights that have a NOEL or U/L testing agency label. Check wires, plugs and sockets for defects. Remember:  If in doubt—throw them out.
• Do not overload outlets and extension cords.
• Do not run electric cords under carpet, seat cushions or anywhere they may be crushed or broken.
• Keep electric cords and extension cords out of the reach of children.
• Turn off all decorative lights when going to bed or leaving the house.

Outdoor Lighting:

• Be sure decorative lights used outside are approved for outdoor use.
• Outdoor lights should be hung with insulated staples or hooks rather than nails or tacks.
• Do not run electric cords under carpet, seat cushions or anywhere they may be crushed or broken.
• Keep electric cords and extension cords out of the reach of children.
• When decorating outdoors, be aware of all power lines. Do not work near overhead power lines or anywhere there is a possibility of contacting an overhead power line, either directly or indirectly with a ladder or other piece of equipment. Do not string lights on outdoor trees that are growing into or near power lines—entire trees may become energized if lights come in contact with a power line.

Christmas Trees:

• Make sure natural grown trees are fresh.  Cut the trunk on a 45-degree angle, about one inch above the original cut, and place it in a sturdy stand. A large tree should be anchored to prevent it from toppling over and possibly catching fire.
• Be sure to place trees away from fireplaces, radiators, television sets, and other sources of heat that may prematurely dry out the tree and make it more susceptible to fire. Make sure the tree has a sufficient amount of water at all times
• When using an artificial tree, make sure it is made of a fire resistant material. Lights should be hung on plastic trees only, never place electric lights on a metallic tree.

Fireplace Safety:

• Do not burn wrapping paper or boxes in the fireplace. These types of materials ignite quickly and may burn uncontrollably. Wrapping paper also may not always burn completely and can become lodged in the chimney, creating a fire hazard.
• When cleaning out fireplaces, place ashes in a metal container and store outdoors away from combustibles. Ashes can remain hot for several hours, if not days. Discard ashes only when they have completely cooled.

Stay tuned for more tips. Next week, I'll share ComEd's formula for calculating the added energy costs associated with holiday decorating. Holiday cheer and kilowatt math go together well, don't you think?