BOISE, Idaho — The holiday season is here, and Idaho Power wants to remind residents of best practices for installing and preparing Christmas lights.
According to Idaho Power, hundreds of fires and injuries happen every year from holiday decorations. As part of its safety checklist, the company recommends avoiding overloaded outlets and power strips when creating a winter wonderland, and not plugging electric heaters into power strips.
Cords should also be placed where they won't be damaged, walked on or tripped on, Idaho Power said. Residents are also encouraged to keep cords away from places where damage could go unnoticed, such as under rugs, on sidewalks or through windows.
When creating a Christmas scene, the checklist recommends using LED lights, which produce less heat than incandescent bulbs. Idaho Power said LED lights also are safer and more efficient than incandescent bulbs.
More Idaho Power safety tips for lighting lighting are included below:
- Use battery-operated, flameless candles instead of traditional ones.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct number of light strands to connect.
- Inspect power cords, extension cords and light strings and replace anything that is fraying or damaged.
- Plug outdoor lights into ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected outlets.
- When hanging lights outside, and using a ladder, make sure to have a spotter and maintain three points of contact.
- Visit Idaho Power's website for additional seasonal safety tips.
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