26 Oct
Holiday lights and decorations can bring warmth and cheer to any home or business. Before you hang the first strand of lights, take a few minutes to make safety part of your decorating plan.
Holiday safety tips for outdoor decorations
• Inspect lights and decorations for frayed wires, cracked sockets or other damage.
• Be aware of all potentially energized electrical lines and equipment, including overhead powerlines and service lines feeding homes, buildings and electric meters.
• Use nonmetallic extension poles and nonconductive ladders when hanging outdoor decorations. Keep ladders, poles, tools, decorations and your body at least 10 feet away from overhead powerlines.
• Use extension cords properly. Only use extension cords rated for intended use and avoid connecting multiple cords together.
• Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets for outdoor lights. These are designed to shut off power when a ground fault is detected.
• Keep lights, trees and decorations away from heat sources such as fireplaces, candles and space heaters. Do not attach decorations to utility poles, electric meters, transformers or other electrical infrastructure.
• Wear secure, slip-resistant footwear when using ladders.
• Place ladders on a firm, level and stable surface, and avoid using ladders on wet, icy or snow-covered surfaces.
• Do not stand on the top step or top cap of a stepladder or overreach from a ladder. Reposition the ladder as needed.
• If decorations cannot be installed while maintaining a safe distance from electrical lines or equipment, choose another location.
• Consider using a timer to automatically turn holiday lights off overnight or when no one is home.
Safety tips for large outdoor holiday displays
Large-scale holiday displays can create memorable experiences for customers and communities, but they also introduce additional safety considerations. Careful planning, installation and maintenance can help keep employees and visitors safe throughout the season.
Before decorating, inspect the area for potential hazards, including:
• Low-hanging electrical lines and other overhanging obstructions that can interfere with the decorations.
• Tripping hazards. Ensure the display is far from tripping hazards or level the grounds to mitigate risk.
• Fire risk: lights can overheat and ignite nearby flammable objects. Plan your display far from flammable objects.
Follow applicable codes and guidelines
• Comply with local building and electrical codes, as well as OSHA safety requirements for workplace installations.
Consider load bearing and structure limits
• Distribute weight across the expanse of the decoration to ensure optimal support.
• Know your load-bearing capacity.
• Use ropes for lifting.
• Prioritize lightweight materials.
• Ensure display is stable after installation.
Monitor decorations throughout the season
• Safety checks shouldn’t stop after installation. Routinely inspect lights, cords supports and decorations for sign of wear, weather damage or loose connections.