Holiday Light Safety

Many homes and businesses throughout Delmarva Power service territories celebrate the holidays with colorful lighting and decorative ornaments. Following is information to help make sure those beautiful displays are safe!

Inside Your Home or Business

• Make sure the lights you use are tested and approved by Underwriter Laboratories. Read the manufacturer's specifications for how many strings of lights can be safely connected; too many lights attached together can overload a circuit, creating a fire hazard.
  
  
• Inspect lights and extension cords carefully. Look for cut or frayed wires, broken sockets and exposed wires. Replace or repair those items before use.
  
  
• Don't overload outlets or extension cords. Don't place extension cords under furniture or rugs; the cords could overheat and create a fire hazard. Make sure you turn off all lights when you leave the premises or go to bed.
  
  
• Keep lights and ornamental accessories and plugs away from sources of water or moisture. You may even want to cover the base of your tree stand to prevent lights from falling into it.
  
  
• Check the batteries in your smoke detector for added protection.

Outside Your Home or Business

• Make sure lights are rated for outdoor use. Never use indoor-rated lights outside. Always plug outside lights into an outlet with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). Outlets with GFCIs help protect you from serious shock if lights or tools have an electrical malfunction.
  
  
• Are you putting lights on the roof? Carry ladders and other equipment parallel to the ground. To avoid the risk of injury, before raising anything into the air, look up to be sure you're clear of power lines. To access more information about working safely near overhead power lines, click on:

For additional safety information:
Read "Energy News You Can Use," Delmarva Power's monthly customer newsletter, and refer to the general electrical safety section of this web site.