Deck the halls with safety in mind

The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without strands of bright bulbs lighting up the neighborhood. Protect your home and family this holiday season by taking a few common-sense precautions with your decorations:

• Replace lights that have broken sockets or frayed wires.



• Buy only lights that have been certified by a national testing laboratory.



• Connect no more than three strands of lights to each other or to one extension cord.



• Fasten lights to your house with hooks or insulated staples, never nails or tacks.



• Keep trees, boxes and wrapping paper away from heat sources.



• Remind children never to touch lights or plugs.



• Remember to unplug lights when you go to bed.



• Always turn off holiday lights before you leave home.