As the holiday season approaches, Arizona Public Service (APS) is urging residents to prioritize electrical safety when decorating their homes. The company’s warning comes as Thanksgiving marks the start of a period when many households install festive lights and decorations.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that about 18,400 people nationwide visit emergency rooms each year for decoration-related injuries, with incidents peaking in the two weekends after Thanksgiving. Nearly half of these injuries are due to falls, often from ladders or even chairs. The National Fire Protection Association also notes that electrical issues contribute to nearly one-third of Christmas tree fires, estimating 160 home fires annually caused by Christmas trees and 832 from other decorations.
APS recommends several safety measures for both outdoor and indoor displays. For outdoor decorations, customers should use wooden or fiberglass ladders on level ground and avoid metal ladders near electricity or overhead power lines. Only lights and extension cords rated for outdoor use and certified by recognized safety organizations should be used, with weatherproof covers protecting connections from rain or snow. Outdoor decorations should be plugged into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets to reduce shock hazards, and circuits should not be overloaded.
For indoor safety, APS advises inspecting all light strands for damage before use and switching to LED lights, which operate at cooler temperatures and use less energy. Live Christmas trees should be kept well-watered to prevent fire risk, while battery-operated candles are recommended over real flames.
Additional tips include unplugging lights before going to bed or leaving home—using timers or smart plugs can help automate this process—and knowing your home’s electrical capacity to avoid overloading circuits. APS also suggests keeping a UL-rated fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies but warns never to use water on electrical fires.
“Safety should shine as brightly as the lights,” APS stated in its reminder to customers.
More information on holiday electrical safety can be found at aps.com/safety.
