Holiday Lighting
SCE reminds customers that safely decorating their homes, work places and Christmas trees with energy-efficient lighting will brighten everyone’s holiday season.
Electrical Safety Tips
Follow these simple safety guidelines when decorating to help prevent serious electrical and fire hazards:
- Always keep safety in mind
- Keep extension cords out of high-traffic areas like doorways or walkways where they pose a tripping hazard.
- Water and electricity don’t mix. Keep electrical cords away from moisture, particularly tree stands filled with water.
- Change bulbs only when the lights are unplugged.
- Ensure that all electrical products are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL, CSA, or ETL, and read the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Plug your lights into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) outlets or use a portable GFCI. Consider purchasing an extension cord combined with a GFCI.
- Keep electrical cords in good condition and do not overload the circuits
- Check all indoor and outdoor decorative lighting for frayed cords, broken wires and loose connections. If you find a problem, throw the strand away.
- When hanging lights, make sure staples, tacks and nails do not pierce or pinch wires. Use plastic zip cords instead.
- Use only three strands of light per electrical cord or outlet. An overload could cause a short circuit and a fire.
- Do not plug one surge protector or power strip into an existing surge protector or power strip.
- Avoid fire hazards
- Keep indoor trees well watered, so that they will not dry out and become fire hazards.
- Do not use lighted candles on trees or decorations. During power outages use flashlights instead of candles.
- Keep lights away from carpeting, furniture, drapes and other combustible material.
- Unplug lights when you leave home or go to bed. Save energy by using a timer, so the lights are on only during the hours you select.
- Outdoor decorating
- Use lights and extension cords designed for outdoor use if placing them outside.
- Look up first and stay away from power lines when you are using ladders or any tools that extend above your head.
- Never get closer than 10 feet to power lines. Remember, trees may have power lines running above, near or through them – do not place light strands or electrical cords in trees near power lines.
Energy Efficient Lighting
SCE also encourages its customers to use light emitting diode (LED) lights for holiday decorating.
LEDs offer many benefits:
- Energy Efficiency: LEDs use up to 90 percent less electricity than conventional incandescent, painted or ceramic-coated bulbs.
- Environmentally friendly: the lower electricity usage of LEDs means less carbon emissions.
- Safety: LEDs generate much less heat when they operate so they are cool to the touch and are less likely to overload a circuit.
- Longevity: LEDs can last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent strands.
