The holiday season is a time to celebrate, decorate, and enjoy the sparkle of lights that make this time of year so special. As you begin decking the halls, Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative reminds you to keep electrical safety in mind to ensure your celebrations stay merry and bright.
Inspect before you connect. Before hanging your lights, carefully check each strand for damaged wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections. Discard any sets that show signs of wear. A frayed cord or broken bulb can quickly turn holiday cheer into a safety hazard.
Use the right lights for the job. Only use lights and extension cords rated for outdoor use when decorating outside. Indoor lights aren’t made to withstand moisture and could cause electrical shocks or fires when exposed to the elements.
Don’t overload outlets. Plugging too many decorations into a single outlet can overload circuits and increase the risk of fire. Spread out your light displays across multiple outlets, and consider using power strips with built-in surge protection.
Turn decorations off before bed. Always unplug lights and electrical decorations when you go to sleep or leave home. Smart plugs or timers can make this easy and help save energy, too.
Choose LED lights. LED bulbs use less energy, stay cooler to the touch, and last longer than traditional incandescent lights—keeping your home safer and your energy bill lower.
At CCEC, safety always comes first. With a few simple precautions, you can enjoy a beautiful, worry-free holiday season filled with light, laughter, and peace of mind.