Start the New Year Safely with SVEC’s Post-Holiday Tips

With holiday gatherings over and decorations coming down, Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) and the American Public Power Association (APPA) are issuing a reminder to consumers on post-holiday and wintertime household electrical safety. By putting these tips into practice, consumers can help keep their friends and family safe after the holidays and all through the year. Safety is essential to all of our households, and these tips make it easy to avoid accidents or injury."

SVEC and ESFI recommends the following post-holiday tips for a safe start in the New Year:

• Use the gripping area on a plug when removing decorative lights and electrical decorations from outlets.
• Discard broken or faulty lights and decorations.
• Separate indoor from outdoor decorations and label accordingly.
• Store decorations away from heat, children, pets and water.
• Keep children playing with electrical toys or gadgets away from water and be sure to explain the risks of water and electricity.
• Send in warranty and product registration information to manufacturers from new toys or appliances. This allows for prompt notification in the event of a recall.
• Make sure all outdoor outlets in use are protected from the weather and covered by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
• Keep space heaters clear from flammable material like curtains, drapes, loose paper and carpets and out of reach of children and pets.
• Never tuck electric blankets in or lay anything on top of them, and remember to unplug them before falling asleep and whenever they are not in use.