‘Tis the Season to Be Safe

Keep your holidays merry and bright with these safety tips

MISSISSAUGA, ON (November 21, 2022) – It’s almost that time of year when friends and family gather to decorate and celebrate the holidays. While preparing for this holiday season, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) encourages Ontarians to put safety first when buying and installing festive lighting and décor.

“Holiday lights and decorations are a welcomed sight during the holidays, but before you put up last year’s decorations or purchase new ones, ensure your loved ones’ safety by using electrical products with a certification mark. Also use the correct decoration type for indoor or outdoor and check for overhead powerlines before hanging lights outdoors,” says Nansy Hanna, Senior Director, Engineering and Regulations, Electrical Safety Authority.

ESA has compiled a list of 10 safety tips to help you and your loved ones stay safe this holiday season:

1. Check old decorations for signs of damage and replace damaged electrical products with new ones
2. Choose the right light for the job. Read the instructions to make sure you're using the correct lights for indoor or outdoor use
3. When hanging outdoor lighting, look out for overhead powerlines when using a pole extension or a ladder. Keep tools back 3 m from overhead powerlines
4. Keep outdoor connections above ground and out of puddles or snow
5. Invest in proper clips for securing decorations
6. Make sure bulbs don’t touch supply cord wires, cloth, paper, or other materials
7. Buy electrical products (online and in-store) with the mark of an accredited certification agency. Here is a list.
8. Ensure children and pets don’t play with electrical decorations or cords
9. Turn off holiday lights and decorations when you go out or go to bed
10. Take down your decorations when the holidays are over because decorations aren’t designed for year-round use and can deteriorate over time

More holiday safety tips can be found at esasafe.com/holidaysafety. Make this holiday season is one to remember for the right reasons. 
In addition, if you suspect something wrong or unsafe with your seasonal electrical consumer product, you should immediately stop using it and contact Health Canada Consumer Products. 
 

About the Electrical Safety Authority

The Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA’s) role is to enhance public electrical safety in Ontario. As an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario, ESA is responsible for administering specific regulations related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical product safety. ESA works extensively with stakeholders throughout the province on education, training and promotion to foster electrical safety across the province.

More information on the Electrical Safety Authority can be found at www.esasafe.com, through https://twitter.com/homeandsafety and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ElectricalSafetyAuthority.