TIPS SHED SOME LIGHT SAFETY PRIORITY AT YULE TIME.Byline: Daily News PALMDALE - Southern California Edison Southern California Edison (or SCE Corp), the largest subsidiary of Edison International (NYSE: EIX), is the primary electricity supply company for much of Southern California. It provides 11 million people with electricity. has some tips to help homeowners keep their homes safe this holiday season while using lights for decorating. Edison suggests homeowners use energy-efficient lights to keep their electricity bills down. A 50-bulb strand of energy-saver miniature lights costs only 35 to 70 cents to operate for five hours a night for 30 nights, compared with midget twinkle strands that cost $1.95 to $3.90 for 30 days, Edison said. A 25-bulb strand of regular tree lights costs about $2.45 to $4.90 for a month. A 150-bulb strand of icicle lights can cost $5.60 to $11.20 for a month. The actual costs depend on a home's total consumption and the rate tier into which a customer falls, Edison said. In addition, the utility said safety should be the highest decorating priority. Edison offered the following tips: --When installing holiday lighting, avoid overloading a single wall outlet or extension cord. Overloading could cause an electric circuit to fail or start a fire. --Make sure lights are UL (Underwriters Laboratories Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is a U.S. not-for-profit, privately owned and operated product safety testing and certification organization. Based in Northbrook, Illinois, UL develops standards and test procedures for products, materials, components, assemblies, tools and ) listed. The UL certification is recognized worldwide as a standard for product safety and quality. --While unpacking holiday light strands, check them for broken sockets, frayed cords and loose connections. If these conditions are found, replace the strands with new ones. --Connect no more than three sets of lights to a single extension cord. --Do not change bulbs or fuses while light sets are plugged in. --Keep holiday lights away from carpeting, furniture, drapes drape v. draped, drap·ing, drapes v.tr. 1. To cover, dress, or hang with or as if with cloth in loose folds: draped the coffin with a flag; a robe that draped her figure. , and other combustible com·bus·ti·ble adj. Capable of igniting and burning. n. A substance that ignites and burns readily. materials. --To prevent Christmas trees Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. from becoming a fire hazard fire hazard fire n that's a fire hazard → das ist feuergefährlich fire hazard n that's a fire hazard → comporta rischi in caso d'incendio , check the water level daily. A newly cut tree can absorb a gallon or more of water per day. --When hanging outdoor lights, do not push tacks through any electric cords. --Only lights designed for outdoor use should be used outside the home. --Keep electrical connections An electrical connection between discrete points allows the flow of electrons, (current). A pair of connections is needed for a circuit. Between points with a low voltage difference between them, direct current flow can be controlled by a switch. off the ground and away from standing water. --For added safety, make sure holiday lights are unplugged before you go to bed or leave home. Additional safety guidelines apply to people who operate portable generators, Edison said. --Install and use generators according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. electrical codes and manufacturers' instructions. --Only operate generators in well-ventilated areas. --When plugging appliances directly into a temporary generator, carefully follow instructions. --Never attempt to connect a generator directly to house wiring or to a utility line. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Christmas lights illuminate trees and a bandstand at Poncitlan Plaza at the Palmdale Civic Center. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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