Follow these Holiday Lighting Tips to best protect yourself and your home:

• Take out your strings of light, and carefully untangle them.
• Verify that each string of lights carries the official Underwriter's Laboratories *UL label.
• Take time to inspect your lights before plugging them in. Check for cracks in cord insulation or socket. Look for places where the wires are bare or broken.
• Throw away suspect or damaged strings. Minor cracks can be temporarily repaired with electricians tape for indoor lights. Discard all damaged outdoor light strands.
• Plug safe-looking strings into an electrical wall socket for 15 minutes and check for signs of melting or smoking wires.
• Verify that all strings designated for outdoor use are weatherproofed lights and wires. If an extension cord is needed, wrap the connection juncture tightly with electrical tape and keep it suspended off the ground.
• Do not overload wall sockets. Be aware of power drains from extra appliances on common circuits. use different sockets around the house to plug in multiple lights to balance the load.
• Set lights to a timer system so that they turn on and off, or be certain to shut off lights when you are asleep or not at home. Limit continuous usage of lights to avoid overheating.
• Keep your Christmas tree well watered and fresh. Test the needles to make sure they are elastic and not dried out and brittle.
• Hang lights and lamps so that they are not in contact with branches, paper, ornaments, decorations, or other flammable items.