An electrically safe Christmas vacation

“It’s that time, Christmas time is here,” and all eyes are on Chevy Chase as he plays his iconic role in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”. Clark Griswold wants to have the perfect family Christmas, but before he gets too carried away with Cousin Eddie and his decorations — he (and you) should consider these electrical safety tips this season.

Check your lights. As you get your decorations out of storage and throughout the season, be sure to check your lights. Replace old or damaged strings before plugging them in to avoid ending up like Aunt Bethany’s cat. Also consider using LED lights which draw less power and stay cooler over time.

Limit what you plug in. It’s easy to get too excited about decorating for the holidays, but for everyone’s safety be sure to limit what you plug in. Don’t connect too many lights, inflatables or decorations to a single outlet or extension cord or you might end up like many comical, but scary, scenes in the movie. Also never plug one extension cord or power strip into another to make more room.

Keep cords clear. Where to run and place the cords is always a struggle in a busy home. Be sure not to run cords under rugs, behind curtains or through doorways. Place them where they won’t overheat or get damaged because you never know where Cousin Eddie will park his RV.

Unplug when not in use. Just like any electrical device, turn them off and unplug your lights and inflatables before going to bed or leaving the house. Don’t worry, Santa will find your house even if it isn’t as lit up as the Griswolds at bedtime.

Watch for warning signs. As the season goes on, watch for any potential warning signs. If outlets feel warm, lights flicker or breakers trip — do not be like Helen and go inside and flip more switches until it comes back on. Unplug the issue immediately, and redistribute the load or call your electric co-op.

From all of us at CEMC and Cumberland Connect, we wish you a Merry Christmas!