As Halloween nears, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) reminds the public to keep safety top of mind as they decorate their homes and partake in seasonal festivities. Celebrating responsibly will help keep people of all ages safe and the electricity flowing reliably this season.
Candace Webb, manager of FirstEnergy Public Safety: “Halloween is a peak time of year for spooky celebrations and activities, but it also has the potential to present some truly scary electrical hazards if simple precautions aren’t taken. As children and adults celebrate the holiday, we want them to know where potential electrical or fire risks exist so they can take the steps needed to minimize them.”
Keep Your Home Spooky and Safe
If your home will be decked out with eerie lights and jack-o’-lanterns, take the time to ensure all decorations are installed safely and functioning properly. Consider these safety measures while decorating this Halloween:
-
Never put any decorations on or near utility equipment, like poles and transformers.
-
Inspect each electrical cord of lights and decorations before use. Look for damage such as cracked, frayed or bare wires, damaged sockets or loose connections that can lead to shocks. If a cord is hot, don’t use it.
-
Use the proper clips for securing lights and decorations. Staples and nails can damage electrical cords.
-
Decorative lights should be approved by Underwriter’s Laboratory and carry a UL seal on the tag. Red UL marks indicate the lights are approved for indoor or outdoor use, while green UL tags indicate approval for indoor use only.
-
Outdoor lights and decorations should be plugged into outlets that feature Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs).
-
Indoor lights should not touch window treatments, carpet or furniture.
-
Replace traditional candles with flame-free options like flashlights, battery-operated candles or glow sticks to light up your jack-o’-lanterns or seasonal decor.
-
Keep flammable…
Read the full article here