Underwriters Laboratories, the world’s oldest and most-trusted product safety organization, is suggesting families follow these tips to ensure the holiday traditions are remembered for the right reasons:
- A fresh tree is key: If the needles are not fresh, it can lead to a greater risk of fire. Remember to ask your tree lot attendant to make a fresh cut to the base of the tree and place it in water as soon as you get home. Place tree in a tree stand that holds at least one gallon of water and check moisture level frequently.
- Three feet from the heat: Keep your tree at least three feet from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, and heating vents.
- Exercise candle care: If you have children and pets, place candles out of reach and away from heavy traffic areas in your home. Never leave a room or your house with candles lit. Always blow it out!
- Light it right: Carefully inspect each electrical decoration – new or old — before plugging it in. Look for cracked sockets or frayed, exposed wires that could become a shock or fire hazard. Replace damaged items with new, UL-Listed decorations.
- LED Lights: Consider these as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional light strings. They draw less power and can be a better option for your family.
- Do not use staples or nails to hang light strings: Instead, purchase plastic hooks or clips designed for hanging light strings.
- Indoor or outdoor? Look for UL Mark: Indoor-use only light strings are marked with UL’s green holographic label. Indoor or outdoor-use light strings are marked with UL’s red holographic label.
- Check the packaging: Read manufacturer instructions before stringing lights together. The general rule is to not connect more than three midget light string sets together. Light strings with screw-in bulbs should never have more than 50 bulbs connected together.
