Shining a light on safe holiday decorating

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 9 - Many Ontarians are planning to purchase electrical products during this holiday season, however almost half (49 per cent) do not look for electrical safety symbols when purchasing electrical merchandise including indoor and outdoor holiday decorations.  Safety certification symbols are designed to help consumers determine which products have been tested and meet safety standards.

A Leger Marketing survey, commissioned by the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority, highlights this and other potentially dangerous missteps that Ontarians should be aware of this holiday season.

"Always look for the certification symbol when shopping for electrical products and when pulling out old holiday decorations," says Peter Marcucci, P.Eng, vice-president and chief public safety officer, Electrical Safety Authority.  "Decorations without an approval mark should be replaced to ensure the safety and well-being of your home and loved ones."

The survey also reveals that many Ontarians - 46 per cent - do not thoroughly examine extension cords and electrical holiday decorations for damage before using them.  This raises concern, especially in light of the fact that 10 per cent of home fires are a result of faulty extension cords and wiring.  Before hanging any holiday décor, carefully check cords, cables, lights and even outlets for deterioration - especially from exposure to extreme weather conditions.

One of the least known dangers of holiday decorating includes the potential for contact with overhead power lines when using ladders.  With 85 per cent of Ontarians indicating that they do not check for overhead power lines it is important to remember to "look up and look out" to identify power lines before you start.   Power line contact accounted for half of all the electrocutions in Ontario over the last 10 years.  Don't take any chances for the sake of holiday decorating and be aware of the power lines, both above and buried on your property.

The Ontario Electrical Safety Authority has provided the following decorating safety tips to ensure you have a safe and happy holiday season:

• Always look for the mark of a recognized certification agency on electrical products prior to purchasing them; for a complete list visit www.esasafe.com
• Ensure your extension cords and holiday decorations are rated for the intended use (indoor versus outdoor) and always check cords and light strings to ensure they are not damaged prior to use
• Replace burned-out bulbs with properly rated bulbs following the manufacturer instructions
• "Look up and look out" for overhead power lines before extending ladders to climb on roofs or trees to decorate
• Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets, or portable GFCI outlets, when plugging in outdoors to avoid potential shock hazards

Other interesting statistics from the survey include the following:

• 54 per cent of Ontarians thoroughly examine extension cords and electrical holiday decorations for damage before using them
• Only one in three Ontarians follow the directions provided to them with new electrical holiday decorations
• 39 per cent of Ontarians are planning to purchase electrical products during the holiday season

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is responsible for enforcing electrical safety standards in Ontario and protecting the public from electrical hazards.

For more information, please visit www.esasafe.com.

General