Americans are expected to spend $4.3 billion on Halloween decorations this year, and that’s not even the scary part.
More than 3,000 home fires a year are linked to the extension cords used to power those displays.
Halloween decoration safety tips:
- Pick the proper equipment: Use power strips with built-in surge and overload protection and plug into outlets with ground fault circuit interrupters or arc-fault circuit interrupters.
- Watch out for power lines and poles: Use caution when decorating near power lines. Keep yourself and tools at least 10 feet away. Lights or decorations should never be installed on power lines, utility poles or any other equipment.
- Keep it safe outdoors: Use electrical lights, decorations and extension cords that are rated for outdoor use and designed for wet conditions.
- Avoid too many connections: Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper number of light strands to connect in a chain.
- Don’t overload: Avoid plugging too many extension cords and decorations into one outlet. They can overheat and cause a fire.
- Use decorations only as needed: Turn off all indoor and outdoor holiday decorations when you are not home and before going to sleep.
- Protect cords and lights: Never use nails or staples to attach a string of lights or a cord.
For more electrical safety tips, visit sce.com/staysafe.
Communications around electrical safety are funded by ratepayers.
