- Always check your decorations to see if they’re certified, tested and approved. The certification should be on the outside of the package or stamped on the lights.
- Make sure any damaged sockets or loose connections that could start fires or cause shock have been carefully looked over. One of the main causes of house fires are from electrical malfunctions. Discard any damaged wires.
- Only have your electrical decorations on, when being used. Like any other electrical appliances in you home, it’s not safe or necessary to have your decorations left unattended. Having decorations up around the house can be fun that we often forget that they come with possible dangers.
- Make sure that all outdoor lights are fastened securely to trees, house wall or any firm supports to protect that lights from wind damage. Do not use nails or tacks to hold the light strings in place, only use insulated staples.
- Use the the right cord for the right location. Indoor and outdoor cords are rated differently.
- Don’t run cords under the rugs where people will walk over them or through doorways or windows where they may become pinched (pinched wires can cause a fire).
- Switch to energy efficient LED lights – they produce less heat, which reduces the risk of fire and will save you more energy.
- Use battery powered LED lights for your jack-o-lanterns instead of candles. There’s no need for open flames.
- Make sure all costumes are flame resistant.
- Be sure to plug your outdoor decorations into circuits protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to prevent electric shock.