Practice electrical safety during the holidays
It is the time of year to trek up to the attic or down to the basement to bring out all the treasured holiday decorations, many of which have great sentimental value. The multiple houses in the Christmas village have always been a favorite, along with the lighted garland for the mantle. As you begin to get out all these beautiful lighted decorations and the Christmas tree lights, homeowners may realize they come up short on the number of needed electrical outlets.
Before you stretch extension cords all around the room in your effort to deck the halls, be sure to keep electrical safety in mind. Extension cords are a great option so you can get all of your favorite decorations plugged in. However, using them safely is a must. We need to keep safety in mind all year long, but it’s essential at the holiday season simply due to the extra things that require electricity.
Homeowners should use only lights and extension cords that are safety-certified by a recognized testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory. Also, if you are using lights from previous years, be sure to check for damage before reusing. If you find any lights with frayed wires, loose connections or broken or cracked sockets, throw them away. These are dangerous and can cause a fire.
Be sure to read and follow the manufacturers’ instructions for using tree lights. Lights should be fastened to the tree, but not with conductive wire. Bulbs should not be in direct contact with needles or branches on natural trees. Although newer lights, including LEDs, do not emit a lot of heat, it could eventually be enough to dry out the tree limbs.
When using lights this holiday season, be sure to select lights appropriately. Use indoor lights for indoor applications only and outdoor lights outside. Take the lights down when the holidays are over; these lights are not designed for prolonged exposure to the elements.
It is important to never overload wall outlets or extension cords. Connect lights to power strips that have several outlets and a built-in circuit breaker. Extension cords should never be run under carpet or rugs. The cords could become frayed after being walked on repeatedly, which can be a fire hazard. Also, be careful about putting extension cords across walkways as they can be a tripping hazard. Try to run cords along the wall.
With a few extra devices plugged into the outlets, you might see a spike in your utility bill. To help save on the electric bill, use LED lights because they use about 90 percent less electricity than a standard string of incandescent lights. LED holiday lights are typically a bit more expensive to purchase, but may pay for themselves in the long run. Consumers may want to take advantage of sales after the holidays and stock up for next year.
For more information regarding electrical safety practices, contact Jimmy Driggers, county extension agent, staff chair, at 623-6841 or email jdriggers@uaex.edu.
EHC
Interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information, call 623-6841 or email Jessica Vincent at jvincent@uaex.edu.
Master Gardeners
If interested in becoming a Master Gardener and would like information, the public is welcome to attend their meetings at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Lake Valley Community Church; call the Extension office; or email Allen Bates at abates@ uaex.edu.
4-H
There are several 4-H clubs for Garland County youth who are
5 to 19 years old. For information, call the Extension Office or email Linda Bates at lbates@uaex.edu.