Allegheny Power Issues Holiday Lighting Safety Tips

The holidays are here, and many people will be decorating their homes with lights and other decorations during the next few weeks. Allegheny Power reminds its customers that inspecting lights and decorations before installation can help ensure a safe and happy holiday season.

Holiday lights should be inspected annually. Many people assume that their lights are in good working condition because they worked last year, but this is not always the case. Customers should look for frayed wires, damaged sockets or missing insulation. If they find any of these conditions, the lights should be thrown away.

Always use lighting according to the manufacturer’s specifications – indoor lights for indoor use only and outdoor lights for outdoor use. To reduce the possibility of electrical shock or fires, always check for the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Mark when purchasing new lights or decorations.

In addition to visually inspecting holiday lighting and decorations, Allegheny Power offers the following safety tips:

* Always unplug lights or decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses.
* Keep all outdoor extension cords and light strings clear of snow and standing water and well protected from weather.
* Do not allow children or pets to play with light strings or other electrical decorations. Even small light decorations can produce a serious electric shock if they are misused.
* When hanging lights outside, be sure to survey the area for overhead power lines and maintain at least a 10-foot distance. Contrary to popular belief, wooden ladders also conduct electricity and no ladder should ever touch a power line.
* Securely fasten outdoor lights to trees, walls or other firm supports to protect them from wind damage and use insulated staples or hooks. Avoid hanging lights with nails or tacks.
* Plug outdoor lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. Circuit interrupters can be purchased wherever electrical supplies are sold.
* Do not overload extension cords – it can cause the cord to overheat and start a fire.
* Turn off all electrical light strings and decorations before leaving your house or going to bed.

Checking electric lights and decorations before installation can help ensure a happy and safe holiday season for you and your family. For more information on electrical safety, call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-Allegheny (1-800-255-3443), or visit our Web site at www.alleghenypower.com.