Silent Voices International
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Services
  • Calendar/Events
  • Volunteer
  • Donate Now
  • Going Mobile!
  • Birth Control
  • Post Abortion Healing & Recovery
  • Natural Family Planning
  • Life Advocates
  • Making Life Disciples
  • Sharon's Testimony
  • Delaiah Luna's Testimony
  • Photo Gallery
  • International
  • Blog

Keep holiday light decorating safe, efficient, festive and fun

12/7/2017

2 Comments

 
​More than 86 percent of Americans decorate their homes as part of their winter holiday celebrations, according to a recent consumer survey from the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Customers can cut down on their energy use during the holidays by making smart lighting choices.

Benefits of using LED holiday lighting

Energy.gov cites many reasons to choose LED holiday lighting over incandescent lights. LEDs use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs, they're brighter, eco-friendly, and are safer, as they are much cooler than incandescent lights. In addition, they are easier to install—up to 24 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket. They last ten times longer and have no filaments or glass to break. If you prefer white lights with the look of incandescent lights, look for "warm" white on the label.

Besides using LED holiday lights, here are some other ways to save energy.

1. Limit usage: Set timers for lights to turn on and off automatically. Keep light displays on during the evening and turn them off overnight. Set timers for lights to automatically turn on when it gets dark and off in the middle of the night. You can save more by keeping light displays on only 8 hours of the evening (when you can see them). 

2. Get reflective: Shiny ornaments, tinsel and mirrors can multiply the effects of your lighting without using more energy. Be sure to keep tinsel away from pets, though. Reflective ornaments and tinsel are just as bright at night, so getting creative with your lighting display can multiply your resources for shine. Don't forget the ribbons, wreaths, garland, and reflective menorahs, for electricity- free age-old traditions still bring holiday cheer. 

Holiday lighting safety tips

1. Plan ahead. Avoid overloading extension cords and wall sockets by following the manufacturer’s limits for the number of light strings that can be safely connected together.

2. Hang lighting correctly. Make sure that no cords will be pinched by furniture or placed under rugs, furniture or other appliances. If covered, cords can overheat or become frayed, increasing the risk of fire.

3. Avoid electric hazards outdoors. Before climbing ladders to string outdoor lights, check for overhead power lines on your roof or attached to your home. Keep at least 10 feet away from overhead lines at all times. Never place yourself or any object such as a string of lights in a position that risks contact with a power line—the result can be fatal.

4. Use GFCI outlets. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). How do you know if it’s a GFCI? Look for the “test” and “reset” buttons. If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased.

5. Check your environment outdoors. Before stringing lights on outdoor trees, make sure tree limbs haven’t grown into or near power lines. Branches, entire trees and even the ground adjacent to a tree can become energized when trees contact power lines.

​6. Put your tree in a safe location. Do not place your holiday tree near a heat source such as a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, making it more susceptible to fires caused by heat, flame or sparks.
 
7. Check condition of lights. Inspect light strands for cracked or broken plugs, frayed insulation or bare wires. Worn cords can cause fires, so discard damaged sets of lights.

​8. Read the labels. Be sure to check each product label to see whether the lights are intended for indoor or outdoor use. Make sure lights have a tag indicating they have been evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory.
Picture
2 Comments
Raghu link
4/17/2018 04:09:34 am

Great Blog,Thanks for sharing such beautiful information with us.We have some more information about this direct stroke lightning protection calculations. Please visit our site <a href="http://www.vbengg.com/lightning-arrestor-protection-study-audit.html">direct stroke lightning protection calculations</a>.

Reply
vbeanjibabu link
6/27/2018 03:57:17 am


Great Blog,Thanks for sharing such beautiful information with us.We have some more information about this lightning arrester ratings. Please visit our site lightning arrester ratings.<a href="https://www.vbengg.com/lightning-arrestor-protection-study-audit.html">Visit Our Website</a>

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author/Editor

    Sharon Pearce has served as the Director of Silent Voices since 1984, and has dedicated her life to speaking up for the unborn - and for the women who have been hurt by abortion.

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly