Is electrical safety at the top of your holiday list?

Electrical Safety Authority offers important holiday safety videos, tips and checklists online for Ontario consumers

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - The holiday season comes with the much-anticipated ritual of hanging the lights and installing festive decorations. And every year, thousands of Ontario consumers purchase and install holiday decorations without realizing the potential electrical safety hazards.

To help avoid these risks, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is pleased to share holiday safety tips in a variety of formats to help prevent electrical-related incidents that have the potential to take your holiday decorating from nice to naughty.

ESA's holiday safety checklist, downloadable holiday décor shopping list and safe installation guide, and other important safety tips can be found at www.esasafe.com/holidaysafety.  The website also contains holiday safety videos to identify potential electrical hazards and how to avoid them. ESA will be sharing regular holiday safety tips on its Twitter and Facebook accounts – @homeandsafety and ElectricalSafetyAuthority, respectively.

"As the busy holiday season approaches, many Ontarians simply aren't aware of the potential electrical hazards associated with installing holiday decorations and lighting," says Scott Saint, Chief Public Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Authority. "Knowing the potential hazards before you start decorating – both indoors and outdoors – can prevent a fire or a severe shock, and give you and your family peace of mind this holiday season."

 Some of the safety tips identified by ESA include:

• Always purchase electrical decorations from reputable retailers to avoid counterfeit products – look for a recognized certification mark to prove they have been tested and meet safety standards;
• Look for overhead powerlines before setting up your ladder to hang outdoor lights and decorations;
• Choose the right decoration for the job: some are rated for indoor use only and could be damaged by our harsh winter climate;
• Never use damaged extensions cords – they can lead to a nasty shock – and avoid plugging too many lights and decorations into an outlet. Overloaded circuits can overheat and start a fire; and
• Don't forget to turn off holiday lights when you leave the house or go to bed.

There's no greater gift than the gift of a safe holiday season. For more holiday safety tips, videos and checklists, visit www.esasafe.com/holidaysafety.

About the Electrical Safety Authority

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario with specific responsibilities under the Electricity Act and the Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act. As part of its mandate, ESA is responsible for administering regulation in four key areas: the Ontario Electrical Safety Code; licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians; electrical distribution safety; and electrical product safety.

SOURCE Electrical Safety Authority

Electrical Safety Authority Media Relations, 905-712-7819 or [email protected]