Power for Progress…A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority 12 days of Holiday Safety

You know about the 12 Days of Christmas, but what about 12 days of holiday safety? This week, your friends at the Grand River Dam Authority are passing along some important safety tips from the Electric Safety Foundation International (esfi.org). These tips can help promote safety around your homes when they are decorated for the holidays.

1.      Remember to keep decorations away from heat sources, especially open flames like candles or fireplaces.

2.      When you are decorating, make sure not to run cords under furniture or rugs.

3.      Have a natural Christmas tree? Make sure you water it to keep it fresh and safe. Real trees can dry up and become a fire hazard quickly.

4.      Do not forget to turn off your decorations when you are leaving for the day or overnight, while you are sleeping.

5.      If you are using several extension cords or adaptors, consider having a qualified electrician add more outlets to your home.

6.      Only use electronics in dry areas. As tempting as it is, you cannot decorate your aquarium with icicle lights.

7.      Remember that phones and tablets should stay on your nightstand. It may be nice to fall asleep to your favorite Christmas music but overheated electronics under pillows and blankets can be dangerous.

8.      Still looking for that last minute perfect gift? How about a smoke alarm? Every home needs smoke alarms.

9.      If you are using a space heater, make sure to turn it off before leaving the room. It only takes seconds for a fire to start if a space heater tips over or comes in contact with something combustible, like a blanket or curtains.

10.  Inspect all those holiday decorations. Discard those that are damaged or worn out.

11.  Stocking up on batteries to power those Christmas gifts? Make sure to keep batteries stored safely in their packaging and out of reach of anything that might try to eat them, like small children and pets.

12.  A great holiday gift idea is an upgrade to Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter breakers or outlets in the home. It is estimated that half of the electrical fires that occur every year could be prevented by AFCIs. All upgrades should be completed by a qualified electrician.

Your friends at GRDA want you to have a safe, enjoyable holiday!

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees, and efficiency.

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