Holiday Safety Tips

As this always is a time of celebration, it also should be one of making safety a priority. With Arizona trees susceptible to fire and any electrical contact being potentially fatal, APS offers some tips to help make this holiday season the safest possible.

Electrical fires can start for a variety of reasons and the results can be tragic. We want customers to enjoy themselves during the holiday season, but we also urge to use extreme caution around electricity. In addition to being a potential source for fire, electricity can be deadly if accidental contact is made.

APS offers these safety reminders:

• Turn off holiday lights before going to sleep or leaving the house unattended.

• When stringing lights outside, use a dry, wooden or fiberglass ladder and be sure to stay away from overhead power lines.

• Use only strings of outdoor lights, spotlights, sockets and extension cords approved by the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL).

• Do not use frayed cords. In addition, extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis and are not intended as permanent household wiring.

• Keep the bulbs from touching Christmas tree needles, branches and decorative items.

• Before putting up lights, check wires, plugs and sockets for wear or damage. If damaged, either repair or discard them.

• Use more than one circuit to avoid overloading household wiring.

• Do not use candles near flammable materials or where they can be knocked over or reached by small children or family pets.

• Unplug lights from electrical outlets before changing bulbs.

• Do not hang lights on a metallic tree. The danger of shock is great. Instead of hanging lights, use a spotlight to illuminate metallic trees.

• There should be a smoke detector on every level of the house and outside each sleeping area. It also is important to have detectors installed properly and tested to ensure they are in working condition.

• As a precaution, all homes should have at least one class ABC extinguisher, placed in an easily accessible area. An extinguisher with an ABC classification puts out all three types of fires: combustible-liquid fires; fires from burning wood, paper and cloth; and electrical fires. It is important to check the pressure in the extinguisher at least every month and refill or replace if it’s low. Know how to properly use the extinguisher.

• To reduce the risk of electrical shock, make sure that GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters) protection is provided for outlets at outdoor receptacles and test the GFCI monthly to make sure it is working properly. If GFCI receptacles are not available, portable GFCI equipment may be used. The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises that more than two-thirds of the 300 annual electrocutions nationwide could be prevented with the use of GFCI protection.