Takoma Park Police Talk Holiday Decoration Safety

You don't want to end up like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation when putting up your holiday decorations. So check out these tips from Takoma Park Police.

Outdoor tips:

• If using a ladder, check the condition of rails, rungs, and brackets before positioning or climbing it.  It is better to not use a metal ladder when installing electrical decorations if avoidable.  Set ladders so the feet are on a stable, even and clean dry base.  Have a spotter, if available, to help steady the ladder, pass materials and tools, and prevent persons from entering the drop zone.

• Decorations should never block any means of egress nor access to utility shut-offs, including faucets, outlets, or meters. If you use an outdoor lighting socket as a power source for holiday decorations, make certain the lighting you temporarily disable is not safety-critical.

• Young children and pets should be kept out of areas where decorations are being installed; it’s very difficult to handle tools and materials properly and safely while keeping an eye on them.

Indoor Holiday Lighting Tips:

• Buy/Use only lighting sets and extension cords that bear the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) label and are specifically marked for indoor use.

• Make certain that you take the time to unroll/untangle and inspect each set of lights – new or old – for worn insulation, bare/frayed wires, broken or cracked sockets, and loose connections.  If you find any such damage, do not try to repair the set.  Throw it away.  Replace broken/damaged lamps/bulbs.

• Be careful not to overload electrical outlets.  Always look for the manufacturer’s recommendations on the number of light sets that can be strung together and other precautions listed on the packaging for the lights.

Outdoor Lighting Considerations:

• Buy/Use only lighting sets and extension cords that bear the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) label and are specifically marked for outdoor use.

• Check all light sets for fraying, aging and heat damage.  Throw away any sets that show signs of damage.

• Connect sets of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into an outlet.

• Always test your light sets before setting up your ladder – replacing broken/burnt-out bulbs is much easier on the ground than on a ladder/roof.

• To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples:   do not use nails or tacks.  Never pull or tug lights to remove or disconnect them.