‘Tis the season to be decorating your home! Are you ready to break out the holiday lights? If you will be decorating the outside of your home this season, there are a few safety precautions you should be taking. If not, your beautiful lights may start an electrical issue or even fire. Thankfully, you will be prepared with reliable home insurance. CT residents may feel a little better knowing that they are covered, but it is best to just avoid an accident at all costs. Here are a few tips!
#1: Read the packaging. It is important to make sure that the lights you choose are made for the outdoors. It is also important to make sure that they have been tested safely. Look for the label to say ETL or UL.
#2: Check for damages. Whether new or old, be sure to check all bulbs for cracks or even missing pieces. Make sure all wires are without any gaps in the insulation and frayed ends.
#3: Plug in correctly. All outdoor lights should be plugged into outlets protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters to prevent shock.
#4: Do not overload. Refrain from overloading your wall sockets with too many plugs and extension cords.
#5: Turn out the lights. If you are sleeping or away from home, be sure to turn off all holiday lights. If you have trouble remembering, you can always use automatic lighting timers, both indoors and out.
So what are you waiting for? Head outside and put up those holiday lights! As long as you take the proper precautions, you should not have an electrical issue this year. However, if you do run into an electrical problem or fire, the damages are sure to be covered with the proper protection. With our home insurance, CT homeowners will be covered when it comes to: the physical structure of their home, replacement costs, personal possessions, liability and additional living expenses. Having your home looking festive AND protected-what is better than that?
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