Make Sure Your Holiday Lights Are Safe

With the holiday season in full swing, the Prince George’s County Fire Department has partnered with the United States Fire Administration to share fire safety advice with county residents.

Each year, fires during the holiday season claim the lives of 400 people and cause $990 million in damage, according to the county fire department.

Here are three simple steps you can take to ensure safe holiday lights.

Maintain Your Holiday Lights — Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets — Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires: they should not be warm to the touch.

Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on Unattended