HOLIDAY SAFETYHOLIDAY SAFETYChristmas Lighting TipsChristmas Lighting Tips

OverviewOverview

Holiday Safety StatisticsHoliday Safety Statistics Christmas Tree SafetyChristmas Tree Safety Extension Cord SafetyExtension Cord Safety General Lighting SafetyGeneral Lighting Safety Installation SafetyInstallation Safety ConclusionConclusion

The StatsThe Stats 8,700 people injured each year8,700 people injured each year

– FallsFalls– CutsCuts– ShocksShocks

400 fires annually400 fires annually– 20 deaths20 deaths– 70 injuries70 injuries– $15M in property loss and damage$15M in property loss and damage

Christmas Tree SafetyChristmas Tree Safety NEVER use candles to decorate treesNEVER use candles to decorate trees

– Unsafe practice of the past, but still done for Unsafe practice of the past, but still done for tradition’s sake!tradition’s sake!

– If you must do it….never leave unattendedIf you must do it….never leave unattended Water cut trees daily Water cut trees daily

– Rule of thumb: 1 qt water per 1” diameter per Rule of thumb: 1 qt water per 1” diameter per day (initially)day (initially)

– Dispose of tree immediately after season ends Dispose of tree immediately after season ends before the needles dry outbefore the needles dry out

NEVER place near heat sourceNEVER place near heat source– Space heater, fire place, radiators, etc. Space heater, fire place, radiators, etc.

Tree Safety ContinuedTree Safety Continued Artificial treesArtificial trees

– Look for “Fire Resistant” labelLook for “Fire Resistant” label» May still catch fire, but will resist burning and May still catch fire, but will resist burning and

extinguish quicklyextinguish quickly

– NEVER use electric lights on metallic treeNEVER use electric lights on metallic tree» Faulty lights may charge the metalFaulty lights may charge the metal

» Electrocution may resultElectrocution may result

Use “Non-tip” style tree standsUse “Non-tip” style tree stands Avoid lead-based decorationsAvoid lead-based decorations

– Hazardous to children if ingestedHazardous to children if ingested

Extension CordsExtension CordsThe Boring But Essential BasicsThe Boring But Essential Basics

Use only UL or FM approvedUse only UL or FM approved Always INSPECT for damageAlways INSPECT for damage

– Look for damaged insulation, splices, or loose plugsLook for damaged insulation, splices, or loose plugs Never run through doorways or under rugsNever run through doorways or under rugs

– Insulation can become damaged Insulation can become damaged – Potential fire or shock hazardPotential fire or shock hazard

Match plugs with outletsMatch plugs with outlets– Never force a 3-prong plug into 2-prong socketNever force a 3-prong plug into 2-prong socket

Store cords indoors when not in useStore cords indoors when not in use– Outdoor conditions can deteriorate cord over timeOutdoor conditions can deteriorate cord over time

Extension Cord SafetyExtension Cord SafetyImportant Usage TipsImportant Usage Tips

Never use indoor cords outdoors!Never use indoor cords outdoors! Know cord rating and total load placed on it!Know cord rating and total load placed on it!

– Cord gauge based on American Wire Gauge (AWG) systemCord gauge based on American Wire Gauge (AWG) system

– The larger the wire, the smaller the AWG #The larger the wire, the smaller the AWG #

– A 12 AWG cord can power more than 14 AWGA 12 AWG cord can power more than 14 AWG Sample cord ratings (always read cord label):Sample cord ratings (always read cord label):

– 18 AWG – 8 Amps18 AWG – 8 Amps

– 16 AWG – 13 Amps (typical outdoor lawn cord)16 AWG – 13 Amps (typical outdoor lawn cord)

– 14 AWG – 15 Amps 14 AWG – 15 Amps

– 12 AWG – 20 Amps (industrial applications)12 AWG – 20 Amps (industrial applications)

Extension Cord SafetyExtension Cord SafetyDid You Know?Did You Know?

Cord LengthCord Length– A cord, based on its gauge, can power a certain A cord, based on its gauge, can power a certain

wattage at specific distanceswattage at specific distances» As the cord gets longer, the current carrying As the cord gets longer, the current carrying

capacity of the cord gets lowercapacity of the cord gets lower– A 16 gauge cord A 16 gauge cord less thanless than 50’ will power 50’ will power

1625W1625W– Over 50’ cord length good for only 1250W!!Over 50’ cord length good for only 1250W!!

““Hey, it reaches…I found the right cord!”Hey, it reaches…I found the right cord!”

Wattage CalculationsWattage CalculationsSafety through Knowledge!Safety through Knowledge!

Alright, Clark…..that’s a lot of Christmas lights! Alright, Clark…..that’s a lot of Christmas lights! ALWAYS be aware of power being used by ALWAYS be aware of power being used by

your light displayyour light display– Most smaller displays stay well within the limit of Most smaller displays stay well within the limit of

cord ratingscord ratings– But…..how close are you to passing the threshold and But…..how close are you to passing the threshold and

have you ever known?have you ever known? Consider replacing larger bulbs that burn hotter Consider replacing larger bulbs that burn hotter

with cooler burning miniature lightswith cooler burning miniature lights

Power ConversionsPower Conversions

Watts = Volts*AmpsWatts = Volts*Amps Volts = Watts/AmpsVolts = Watts/Amps Amps = Watts/VoltsAmps = Watts/Volts

Many Christmas light products vary in Many Christmas light products vary in regards to power ratings providedregards to power ratings provided– Some lights give rating in watts, while others Some lights give rating in watts, while others

may indicate ampsmay indicate amps– Regardless, know the rating and how to convert Regardless, know the rating and how to convert

into something usefulinto something useful

Power CalculationsPower Calculations

Most larger bulbs list power draw in wattsMost larger bulbs list power draw in watts For example, the larger C-7 bulbs typically For example, the larger C-7 bulbs typically

pull 5 watts per bulbpull 5 watts per bulb Simply count the number of bulbs and Simply count the number of bulbs and

multiply by wattage valuemultiply by wattage value– 250 C-7 bulbs * 5W/bulb = 1250W250 C-7 bulbs * 5W/bulb = 1250W

A 16AWG cord will support, but….A 16AWG cord will support, but….– Don’t forget about cord length, deterioration, Don’t forget about cord length, deterioration,

and other factorsand other factors

Power CalculationsPower Calculations Don’t overlook power draw on smaller Don’t overlook power draw on smaller

light setslight sets– Mini-lights are touted for their efficiency and Mini-lights are touted for their efficiency and

low-cost power usage low-cost power usage – Be cautious of the math!Be cautious of the math!

A standard mini-light set of 100 lights uses A standard mini-light set of 100 lights uses 40 watts (about .34 amps) 40 watts (about .34 amps) – A large outdoor tree decorated with minis may A large outdoor tree decorated with minis may

use up to 2,000 lights (800W)use up to 2,000 lights (800W)– If powering this tree on same cord as house If powering this tree on same cord as house

decorations, you can easily overload the cord decorations, you can easily overload the cord and/or outletand/or outlet

Cords - A Few Basic TipsCords - A Few Basic Tips If in doubt, simply feel the cord after power has If in doubt, simply feel the cord after power has

been applied for 20-30 minutesbeen applied for 20-30 minutes– If it’s warm to the touch, decrease the load!If it’s warm to the touch, decrease the load!

Use of an Amp Clamp to measure exact loads is Use of an Amp Clamp to measure exact loads is safest method safest method

Avoid “daisy-chaining” multiple cords and light Avoid “daisy-chaining” multiple cords and light strandsstrands– Not because OSHA frowns on it, but because you Not because OSHA frowns on it, but because you

will run a higher risk of fire, overload, etc.will run a higher risk of fire, overload, etc. Keep it Simple. Keep it Safe.Keep it Simple. Keep it Safe.

General Lighting SafetyGeneral Lighting Safety Use only lights tested by recognized testing Use only lights tested by recognized testing

laboratory (ie. UL approved)laboratory (ie. UL approved) Check light strands for broken sockets, Check light strands for broken sockets,

frayed or bare wires, or loose connectionsfrayed or bare wires, or loose connections NEVER use indoor lights outsideNEVER use indoor lights outside

– Green label = indoor use; Red = outdoorGreen label = indoor use; Red = outdoor Turn off all lights when you go to bed or Turn off all lights when you go to bed or

leave the houseleave the house For added shock/electrocution protectionFor added shock/electrocution protection

– Plug lights into circuits protected by Ground Plug lights into circuits protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)

Installation SafetyInstallation Safety

Avoid using tacks, nails or metal staples to Avoid using tacks, nails or metal staples to secure light strandssecure light strands– Use insulated staples Use insulated staples – Pre-installed hooks are safe and convenientPre-installed hooks are safe and convenient

Install lights without power/unpluggedInstall lights without power/unplugged– Avoids shock if you touch overlooked exposed Avoids shock if you touch overlooked exposed

wirewire Fasten outdoor lights securely to protect Fasten outdoor lights securely to protect

from wind damagefrom wind damage

Installation SafetyInstallation Safety

Fall ProtectionFall Protection– Various typesVarious types– Use for working heights > 10 feetUse for working heights > 10 feet

Ladder SafetyLadder Safety– Inspect and use ladder appropriate for the jobInspect and use ladder appropriate for the job– Visit Visit http://siri.uvm.edu/ppt/laddertalk for more for more

Eye protectionEye protection– Wear safety glasses when decorating treesWear safety glasses when decorating trees– Scratched corneas hurt!Scratched corneas hurt!

Fact or FictionFact or Fiction

Never plug more than 3 light strands into one Never plug more than 3 light strands into one extension cord? extension cord? FICTIONFICTION– Not sure where this “rule of thumb” common to Not sure where this “rule of thumb” common to

lighting safety originated, but it’s out therelighting safety originated, but it’s out there– A standard rule has always been not to plug more A standard rule has always been not to plug more

than 3 light strands together (mini lights, icicle lights, than 3 light strands together (mini lights, icicle lights, etc.) to avoid overloading the strand wire themselvesetc.) to avoid overloading the strand wire themselves

– Newer, heavy duty light strands now allow as many Newer, heavy duty light strands now allow as many as 6 strands to be plugged in sequenceas 6 strands to be plugged in sequence

– May be an over simplistic rule to prevent “daisy-May be an over simplistic rule to prevent “daisy-chaining” (ie. running multiple 3-light strands into chaining” (ie. running multiple 3-light strands into one cord using 3-outlet cube taps)one cord using 3-outlet cube taps)

Fact or FictionFact or Fiction Indoor cords are not rated the same as Outdoor Indoor cords are not rated the same as Outdoor

extension cords? extension cords? Fact and FictionFact and Fiction The typical brown or white indoor extension The typical brown or white indoor extension

cord commonly used in the home is rated at 16 cord commonly used in the home is rated at 16 AWGAWG– The same as a common outdoor cord used to power The same as a common outdoor cord used to power

such items as weed eaters, small tools, etc.such items as weed eaters, small tools, etc. What’s the difference?What’s the difference?

– Outdoor cords are 3-wire with neutral to groundOutdoor cords are 3-wire with neutral to ground– Outdoor cords are better insulated to handle outside Outdoor cords are better insulated to handle outside

wear/tearwear/tear

ConclusionConclusion

Follow basic tree and lighting safety guidanceFollow basic tree and lighting safety guidance Know the load being placed on extension cordsKnow the load being placed on extension cords Get help from a qualified electrician if neededGet help from a qualified electrician if needed Have fun while decorating……SAFELY!Have fun while decorating……SAFELY!