“The year’s largest and most festive holiday season is upon us and safety should be a priority when decorating the house,” says John Flowers, AEP Texas safety manager. “Electrical safety is especially important during the holiday season due to decorative lights draped through trees and around homes.”

AEP Texas recommends the following safety tips for your home this holiday season.

• Use only decorative lights that are safety-certified by a recognized testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Check your tree lights and outdoor lights for damage each year before you use them. Look for frayed wires, loose connections and broken or cracked sockets. Throw away any set that is damaged.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using tree lights. All lights should be fastened securely with string, ribbon or rubber bands, but never with conductive wire. Bulbs should not come into direct contact with needles or branches on natural trees. While they don’t emit much heat, they could eventually dry out the tree limbs.
• Never attach electric lights to metal trees. A malfunction could lead to a dangerous, perhaps fatal, shock to anyone touching any part of the tree. Instead, use colored floodlights to give a safer and more beautiful illumination.
• Select lights appropriately and never use indoor lights outside because they are not designed to be waterproof and could short circuit. Outdoor lights, on the other hand, are usually hotter than indoor lights and could pose a hazard if placed on a tree.
• In many circumstances, the installation of these lights requires the use of a ladder. Always have some someone assisting you when working from a ladder for any reason.
• Although decorative lights themselves don’t typically consume a great deal of power, it is important not to overload wall outlets or extension cords. Never run electrical cords under carpets or rugs where daily walking and wear could cause fraying and overheating. Unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment before restoring power if fuses blow or circuits trip in the home.
• When you leave the house or go to bed, be sure all lights are turned off. Disconnect lights by pulling the plug, not by yanking on the cord.

“A few moments exercising caution with electrical equipment can help avoid accidents while preparing for the holiday season,” adds Flowers.

For more information about holiday safety, please visit the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) website at www.holidaysafety.org.

AEP Texas, a unit of American Electric Power, delivers electricity to more than 900,000 homes, businesses and industries in south and west Texas. AEP Texas provides regulated energy delivery service to consumers, regardless of which Retail Electric Provider they choose. The region headquarters is in Corpus Christi.