Enjoy Halloween Horror without the Hazards with Tips from ESFI

October 24, 2011, Arlington, VA- The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is encouraging families and communities to treat safety as a priority this Halloween to ensure that celebrations do not become frightening for the wrong reasons.   

• Choose decorations, costumes, and accessories that are made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible materials. 
• Use flashlights or battery-operated candles when decorating in and around your home, including to light walkways, jack-o-lanterns, and outdoor displays.
• Carefully inspect each decoration before use. Cracked, frayed, or bare wires and loose connections may cause a serious electric shock or start a fire. 
• Before using any electrical products outdoors, make sure they are marked “for outdoor use.” 
• Keep electric cords out of high-traffic areas, including doorways and walkways, where they can cause a tripping hazard. 
• Plug outdoor decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to prevent electric shock. 
• Never nail or staple light strings or extension cords. This can damage the cord’s insulation and create a serious fire and shock hazard.
• Use electrical lights and decorations that are approved for safe use by an independent testing laboratory such as UL, ETL-SEMKO, or CSA. 
• Always turn off all electrical decorations and extinguish any open flames before leaving home or going to bed.