‘Tis the season for holiday lights, decorated Christmas trees and lighted garland. The holidays are a time for celebration, and here at NYSEG and RG&E we want to ensure our customers can enjoy a holiday season filled with safety, comfort and joy.

The following electrical safety and energy efficiency tips will help keep you and your family safe as you enjoy all the holidays have to offer.

‘Tis the season for holiday lights, decorated Christmas trees and lighted garland. The holidays are a time for celebration, and we want to ensure our customers can enjoy a holiday season filled with safety, comfort and joy.

The following electrical safety and energy efficiency tips will help keep you and your family safe as you enjoy all the holidays have to offer.

INDOOR DÉCOR

• Consider using LED lights, which produce less heat and use less energy than traditional decorative lights. The cooler-burning LEDs can also help reduce the drying effect on the tree.

• Make sure cords are tucked away safely to prevent anyone from tripping over them. However, never run cords them under rugs, since they can overheat.

• Make sure that electric window candles do not touch drapes or other flammable objects.

• Never use electric lights on metallic trees and avoid using plastic trees unless they’re flame resistant.

• Turn holiday lights off before going to sleep and when you leave home. Consider using a programmable timer to turn lighting displays on and off automatically.

• Avoid overloading electrical circuits or extension cords—if a cord feels hot to the touch, it is overloaded and could cause an electrical fire. Always follow the directions on cord labels regarding connecting light strings and extension cords.

• Dry Christmas tree limbs and hot lights can be a dangerous combination. If you have a live tree, be sure to keep it fresh by watering the tree liberally. The average tree can consume between a quart and a gallon of water a day!
• Keep open flames from candles away from tapestry, decorations and other flammable objects

OUTDOORS

• While decorating the outside of your home, look up and around the area first to identify overhead power lines and other hazards.

• Never raise ladders, poles or other extended objects into or near power lines. Also, check to make sure any tree limbs you may encounter aren’t near power lines. Remember: no power line is safe to touch, ever.

• Use only outdoor-approved lights that can withstand cold temperatures and inspect them for damage.

For more energy efficiency tips for your entire home, visit these sites:

• In Connecticut, click here.

• In Maine, click here.

• In New York: NYSEG customers click here and RG&E customers click here