Avoid Halloween Scaries with These Holiday Electrical Safety Tips

 
As neighborhoods across the country gear up for Halloween, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) reminds the public to keep safe in their decorating and celebrations this fall. Celebrating responsibly can help people of all ages enjoy the season safely and keep power flowing reliably.

With Halloween decorations becoming more elaborate, it's important to recognize and minimize potential risks. Follow these safety measures while decorating:

    Never put any decorations on or near utility equipment, like poles and transformers.
    Inspect each electrical cord of lights and decorations before use. Look for damage such as cracked, frayed or bare wires, damaged sockets or loose connections that can lead to shocks. If a cord is hot, don't use it.
    Use the proper clips for securing lights and decorations. Staples and nails can damage electrical cords.
    Decorative lights should be approved by Underwriter's Laboratory and carry a UL seal on the tag. Red UL marks indicate the lights are approved for indoor or outdoor use, while green UL tags indicate approval for indoor use only.
    Outdoor lights and decorations should be plugged into outlets that feature Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs).
    Indoor lights should not touch window treatments, carpet or furniture.
    Replace traditional candles with flame-free options like flashlights, battery-operated candles or glow sticks to light up your jack-o'-lanterns or seasonal decor.
    Keep flammable decorations, like cornstalks and bales of hay, far away from any open flames or heat sources, such as candles, heaters and light bulbs.