It’s the most wonderful time of the year! A time to decorate our homes inside and out, gather with family and friends, and enjoy all the beauty and wonder of the holiday season.

But as magical as this time of year is, it can also present some challenges when it comes to electrical safety. While festive and fun, holiday celebrations, flickering lights, and winter greens can also present fire risks that can quickly turn this joyous time of year into a devastating one.

At Excel Electrical Technologies, we want your holidays to be joy-filled, festive, and safe. Follow these 12 safety tips for a worry-free holiday season.

1. Keep decorations at least three feet away from any heat source, especially one with an open flame. Blow out your candles when you leave the room or go to sleep, or better yet, choose safer LED candles.
2. When decorating, do not to run cords under rugs or furniture, out of windows, or across walkways and sidewalks.
3. Use appropriate string lights and extension cords. Some are suited for outside use and others for inside use. And when hanging lights outside, never nail or pierce the cords; use appropriate clips instead.
4. If you have a natural Christmas tree, water it to keep it from drying out. Real trees can dry up and turn into kindling in no time at all.
5. Always turn off string lights and electronic decorations when you leave your home or go to bed.
6. If you’re relying heavily on extension cords or adapters, consider having a qualified electrician add more outlets to your home.
7. Keep smartphones and tablets on your nightstand or other solid surface; they can overheat if left under pillows or blankets.
8. If you haven’t yet, test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for proper operation and replace the batteries every 6 months. Place a smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of your home, including the basement.
9. If using a space heater, place it on a solid, stable surface away from flammable materials. Switch it off before leaving the room or going to bed and do not leave pets or small children in a room with a space heater unattended.
10. Inspect your electric or battery-powered decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn out.
11. Keep batteries stored safely in their packaging and out of reach of small children and pets.
12. Never leave food cooking on the stove or in the oven unattended. And keep a fire extinguisher nearby to extinguish small kitchen fires.

At Excel Electrical Technologies, the safety of our customers is our top priority. From our family to yours, we wish you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season.