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Before decorating, read and follow the manufacturers’ instructions
concerning installation and maintenance of all decorative electrical
products.
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Indoors and out, use lights and other electrical decorations certified
by a recognized independent testing laboratory such as CSA, UL,
or ETL.
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Outdoors, use lights and other electrical decorations certified for
outdoor use.
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Carefully inspect each decoration before plugging into an outlet.
Cracked, frayed, loose or bare wires, and loose connections may
cause a serious electric
shock or start a fire. Replace damaged items.
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Always unplug an electrical decoration before replacing light bulbs
or fuses.
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Don't mount or support light strings in any way that might damage
the cord's insulation.
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Never nail or staple light strings or extension cords.
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Do not connect more than three light string sets together.
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Light strings with screw-in bulbs should have no more than 50 bulbs
connected together.
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Don't overload extension cords – they can overheat and start
a fire. Keep all outdoor extension cords and light strings clear
of snow and standing
water and well protected from weather.
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Use caution when decorating near power lines. Contact with a high-voltage
line could lead to electrocution.
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Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged
with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could
be electrocuted.
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Don't allow children or pets to play with electrical decorations. Even
small light decorations can produce a deadly electric shock if they are misused.
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Turn off all electrical decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
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Plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by
ground fault circuit interrupters
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(GFCIs). Portable GFCIs can be purchased wherever electrical supplies are
sold.