Safety Tips For Putting Up Holiday Decorations

(NC) It’s important to take heed of safety tips that apply to all electrical installations, regardless of scope and size. When it comes to holiday lighting and décor you don’t want to break the bank … or the grid. Matthew Riccio, an Ontario College of Trades certified electrician, offers these tips:

Circuits/extension cords/splitters: Make sure your cords are all in good working order and that you’re not plugging countless things into one power bar and extension cord after extension cord. Choose high-quality extension cords and electrical splitters and look for those that have been approved by Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Canadian Underwriters Laboratories (ULC) or both. Also, don’t exceed circuit capacity – each circuit breaker should have its amperage marked on it.

Lighting:LED lights are more energy efficient, much safer and they don’t heat up as regular incandescent or halogen bulbs do. Try keeping indoor/outdoor lights on a timer so that you don’t forget to shut them off.

Safety Equipment:Install smoke alarms on every floor, including the basement (replacing batteries annually). Ensure you also have a carbon monoxide alarm and one or more fire extinguishers on hand – and check their expiry dates.

Overall, use common sense, says Riccio. And when in doubt, he says you can always hire a professional.

If you decide to hire an electrician, be sure to confirm he or she works for an electrical contracting business licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) by using the searchable database at www.esasafe.com. And always confirm the individual electrician’s qualifications by using the Ontario College of Trades’ Public Register at: www.collegeoftrades.ca. Simply type in the person’s name or membership number to ensure they have the required training and certification to legally perform the work.