Although decorating your home can be a fun activity, there are inherent risks involved when working with electric lights, installing decorations or burning candles. Remembering these tips can help reduce your exposure to injury.

Lighting Safety

• Inspect your holiday lights annually. Check for frayed wires, damaged sockets or missing insulation. If you find any of these conditions, throw away the lights.
• Unplug light strings and electrical decorations before replacing light bulbs or fuses.
• To reduce the possibility of electric shock or fire, only use lights with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.
• Do not overload extension cords – it could cause the cord to overheat and start a fire.
• When hanging decorations outside, be sure to survey the area where you are working for safety hazards. If overhead power lines are nearby, stay at least 10 feet away.
• Never allow children or pets to play with light strings or other electrical decorations. Even small decorations can produce an electric shock if they are damaged or misused.

Ladder Safety

• Use a spotter when climbing a ladder to string lights or hang ornaments.
• Make sure the ladder feet are placed on a solid surface.
• Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder (two hands, one foot or two feet, one hand).
• Never stand on the top rung or step of a stepladder.

Candle Safety

• Use sturdy candle holders.
• Place burning candles at least three inches apart to ensure they won’t melt one another or create drafts that can cause the candles to flare.
• Always keep a burning candle within sight.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
• The safest way to extinguish a candle is with a snuffer. Never use water.
• Never use a candle as a night light.

Help ensure you and your family have a happy and healthy holiday season by practicing safety when decorating. You can also check out this video that offers additional tips for putting up holiday lights.