• Turn off all decorative lighting when leaving the house and before going to bed.
• Follow the manufacturer's limits for the number of strings that can safely be connected together.
• Check all light strands for cracked or broken plugs, frayed insulation or bare wires. Worn cords can cause fires.
• Discard all damaged sets of lights.
• Consider using energy efficient lighting products. BGE Smart Energy Savers Program® offers discounts of up to $5 on select ENERGY STAR® certified LED lighting products. For more information, visit bgesmartenergy.com.

• Ensure that lights used to decorate the outside of the house are approved for outdoor use; never use indoor lights outside.
• Do not place yourself or any object where you or it may come in contact with a power line.
• Keep at least 10 feet away from all overhead lines.
• Make sure tree limbs have not grown into or near power lines. Branches or entire trees can become energized if they come in contact with a power line.

• Route cords inside your home so they are not a tripping hazard.
• Do not place cords under rugs, furniture or other appliances. Cords can overheat or become frayed and cause a fire.
• If you have a real Christmas tree, be sure to keep it watered.
• Do not use real candles. If you do, keep all burning candles within sight and extinguish them before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Keep candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface and away from children and pets.

• Be careful and watch for overhead lines before raising ladders or other objects.
• Maintain three points of contact when ascending or descending a ladder.
• Make sure that the ladder’s feet are firmly set and square before climbing.
• Have a spotter at the base of the ladder.

Fireplace and Stove Safety Tips

• Keep all flammable household items at least three feet away from the appliance.
• Never start your fire with gasoline, kerosene or other flammable liquids.
• Do not use logs made from wax and sawdust in your wood stove or fireplace insert. They are for open hearth fireplaces.
• Keep the doors of your wood burning appliance closed unless you are loading or stoking the fire.
• Regularly remove the ashes into a metal container with a lid and store outside away from the home.
• Keep a fire extinguisher near the appliance. Make sure it has not passed its expiration date and it has the correct pressure.
• Have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected each year.
• Remember to test and change the batteries on your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors twice a year and be mindful of their expiration dates. ​