The holiday season brings an array of decorations and festive lighting, but with these come potential electrical hazards, especially for commercial properties where decorating efforts are often extensive. Here’s a guide to help businesses prioritize electrical safety and fire safety during the holiday season, keeping employees and visitors safe from accidents and fires.

1. Inspect Electrical Decorations and Cords

As you unload the holiday decorations from their boxes, you should inspect all lights, cords, and electrical decorations. Suspected damage, like cracked, frayed, or bare wires and damaged sockets could be hazardous to the area and put the building at risk of a fire. Ensuring decorations are in good condition is a crucial first step in holiday electrical safety for commercial spaces.

2. Avoid Overloading Outlets and Extension Cords

It’s common to plug multiple decorations and lights into one outlet, but this can easily overload circuits and cause overheating, leading to fires. Be mindful of the power limits on outlets and extension cords, especially if you’re using high-wattage decorations. Instead, distribute lighting and decorations across different circuits to reduce the load. This electrical safety measure helps prevent issues from socket overload, a common cause of holiday fires.

3. Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) for Outdoor Decor

For exterior holiday lighting, always use outlets equipped with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). These are safety devices installed in outdoor electrical outlets to protect against electrical shocks and fires. When they detect an imbalance in the amount of electricity flowing through the circuit, it will quickly shut off. These are NEC code requirement in areas or rooms that could have the outlet exposed to water, including outdoor areas.

4. Secure Decorations Without Damaging Cords

When putting up holiday lights or other decorations, use proper clips or hooks instead of staples, nails, or other sharp objects that could puncture wires. Damaged cords are a significant fire safety risk. The simple use of clips not only keeps decorations secure but also maintains the integrity of the electrical cords, ensuring safer holiday displays.

5. Verify the Safety Certification of Lights and Decorations

Holiday decorations should be certified by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL). This label can be found on the decorations and verify how they should be used. A red label designates indoor and outdoor use, while a green label is for indoor use only. Misusing the decorations and not following their instructions can lead to fire and other electrical safety risks. Ensuring proper certification helps reduce hazards by guaranteeing that the products meet safety standards.

6. Replace Open Flames with Battery-Operated Candles

To reduce the risk of fires, replace traditional candles with battery-operated options in your holiday displays. Flameless candles and LED decorations offer the same warm glow without the fire hazards associated with open flames. This simple switch can enhance fire safety while adding to the ambiance of holiday decor.

7. Keep Decorations Clear of Flammable Materials and Heat Sources

Decorations like garlands, wreaths, and holiday trees are often flammable. Be sure to keep these away from heat sources, including light bulbs, space heaters, and electrical equipment. Even indoor holiday lights should not touch drapes, carpets, or office furniture, as these can easily ignite if they come into prolonged contact with heat.

8. Use Portable Heaters with Caution

Portable heaters are often used in commercial properties to maintain warmth, but they must be handled carefully to ensure fire safety. Never plug portable heaters into extension cords, as this can increase the risk of overheating. Place heaters on a flat, stable surface and avoid leaving them running overnight or unattended. This precaution minimizes the potential for fire hazards in commercial spaces.

Following safety instructions and directions on decorations is the best way to prevent electrical hazards and fires so your business can enjoy the holidays safely. This not only protects your business, but employees, customers, and visitors.

Click here to read the full articles, originally published by First Energy Corp and AGCC.