COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s that time of year when families get the old Christmas lights out of the garage or basement and light up their homes, but the Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office is warning residents that one short fuse can turn a festive evening into a nightmare.
“Oftentimes, people are trying to string lights through their gutters and it may be where the lights aren’t rated for outdoor use or they’ve been used many years and have worn down spots in the wiring that can short out and electrocute somebody,” Chief Deputy Rick Sluder with the state fire marshal’s office said.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 15,000 people were treated for decorating-related injuries during the 2023 holiday season and around half of those are due to falls.
“It is common, people trying to get up on ladders and, especially this time of year, things can get slippery,” Sluder said.
It’s recommended to wear shoes with good traction and make sure your ladder and roof are sturdy before climbing on them.
If you are buying new outdoor lights this year, Sluder said it’s important to make sure the lights are intended for outdoor use to avoid electrocution.
“Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on properly plugging in your decorations,” he said.
In November, a California man was killed when he was electrocuted hanging up lights. A few days later, a man in Massachusetts nearly died while also hanging lights. Sluder said it’s important to check over the lights before hanging them up to remain as safe as possible. Look for any frays or exposed wire and when you do hang up the lights, make sure they are securely strapped down.
“You can’t just let them hang because they will break apart and fray,” he said.
Sluder also said it’s not just outdoor lights to be cautious of.
“There are limited electrical outlets in homes and many people try to overload outlets with power strips, so oftentimes the electrical service in the house isn’t designed to handle that amount of electricity out of one outlet,” he said.
If you have any concerns about hanging up lights, Sluder recommends hiring professionals to do it.
