Health Tip: Check Holiday Lights

(HealthDay News) -- Glittering holiday lights are a delight to the eyes, but they can be a fire hazard if they aren't inspected and maintained.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these safety guidelines for holiday lights:

  • Carefully inspect all lights, even brand new ones, to look for frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.

  • Never use electrical lights with a metallic tree. Faulty lights could charge the tree, and anyone touching the tree could be electrocuted.

  • If using lights outside, make sure they're approved for outdoor use. Never use nails or tacks to hang them; instead use hooks or insulated staples.

  • Always plug outdoor lights into sockets with ground circuit interrupters.

  • Turn off all holiday lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

Related Articles

Learn More About Sharp
Sharp HealthCare is San Diego's health care leader with seven hospitals, two medical groups and a health plan. Learn more about our San Diego hospitals, choose a Sharp-affiliated San Diego doctor or browse our comprehensive medical services.

Health News is provided as a service to Sharp Web site users by HealthDay. Sharp HealthCare nor its employees, agents, or contractors, review, control, or take responsibility for the content of these articles. Please read the Terms of Use for more information.