Use care when lighting up holidays

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The holiday tradition of stringing lights on the outside of the house, across the mantle and on the Christmas tree is commonplace in households across the nation.

McChord Fire Department officials are asking Airmen and their families to take note of a few key safety tips when it comes to lighting up the holidays.

Before even stringing up the lights, people should check the lights and any other electrical decorations -- including extension cords -- for frayed insulation on wires, loose connections and broken sockets, said officials.

They should also ensure all electrical components are labeled "Underwriters Approved."

"Unlabeled materials, both domestic and foreign, seldom meet safety standards," said assistant chief of fire prevention Sandra Cooper, 62nd Civil Engineer Squadron.

People should also be careful when it comes to stringing up lights.

"It's important to check and make sure to use only outdoor approved lights for eaves and outdoor decorating and to not overload a circuit or surge protector," said Chief Cooper.

"People should check the box or tag to see how much amperage a string of lights is going to need and add up the strings," Chief Cooper said.

One hundred watts equals one amp, and a normal receptacle is good for 15 amps.

"Wires for Christmas lights are usually not intended for more than one to three amps," she said. "If an electrical cord feels warm or hot, the cord is overloaded or there may be damage to the wires, sockets or appliance."

When stringing up lights, Chief Cooper recommends wrapping tape around the cord and leaving a flag of tape to staple.

"Never staple the cord to the wall," she said.

Chief Cooper said people should also avoid running cords through doorways where they can be pinched, which damages the cord.

As for placing candles throughout the house to add to the holiday ambiance -- don't even think about it, Chief Cooper said.

Candles cause an average of 6,700 home fires every year, with 87 associated fatalities and 587 injuries, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.

The fires also cause nearly $59 million in property damage, according to the NFPA.