Practise safe holiday decorating

News Release
ESA

A survey commissioned by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), has found that Ontarians are guilty of skipping basic steps when decorating this holiday season. With an increasingly busy holiday schedule and growing to-do lists, many Ontarians are ignoring important safety steps and guidelines when putting up their holiday lights. The Electrical Safety Authority, a leader in electrical safety, is urging Ontarians to be bright this holiday season and practice safe holiday decorating.
“The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, but we encourage you to practice safe holiday decorating by taking the necessary safety steps when putting up decorative lights, including checking your lights for damage or frayed wires before decorating and following indoor and outdoor use guidelines,” said Peter Marcucci, Vice President and Chief Public Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Authority. “Following these safety guidelines will help to avoid electrical mishaps in home so you can enjoy this time with family and friends.”
In the 2011 Holiday Survey, the Electrical Safety Authority found that 24% of the respondents did not thoroughly check their electrical holiday decorations and extension cords for damage before use. As well, more than a quarter of people (26%) from Ontario said they typically leave their outdoor holiday lights up all winter, with 7% admitting that their holiday lights are still up from last season.
Electrical holiday decorations also are prone to damages and deterioration over time. The 2011 Holiday Survey found that almost 20% of Ontarians are using lights that are over five years old. When purchasing new electrical decorations, the Electrical Safety Authority encourages consumers to protect themselves by purchasing products that bear the mark of a recognized certification agency.
For more tips on how to decorate safely this holiday season, please visit the Electrical Safety Authority website at www.esasafe.com.