Holiday lights help make the season beautiful. They can also cause home fires. To keep your family safe:

• Look at each string of lights carefully. If any are cracked or damaged, buy new ones.
• When you buy new lights, look at the box for a label that shows they have been tested for safety, such as ETL or UL.
• Follow the directions on the box. It will tell you how many strings to use together. As a rule, UL recommends using no more than three standard-size sets of lights together.
• Hang or mount light strands carefully to avoid damaging the cord's insulation
• Do not plug in too many things at one time. Use a surge protector.
• Unplug all holiday lights when you go to sleep or leave home.
• Plug outdoor decorations into outlets protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent shock.
• Automatic lighting timers can be used to ensure that lights are not left on by mistake. These are available for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Do not put electrical cords under rugs. Try to keep them away from places people walk.
• When replacing a holiday bulb, be sure to use the correct bulb size (wattage) that is right for the fixture.