Tips for a Safer Greener Holiday

Con Edison wishes New Yorkers joy and peace this season and reminds them to keep safety at the top of their holiday list by using approved LED lights and products and carefully following instructions for their use and display. 

Use only Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved lights, decorations and products. The label means the product has undergone evaluation by a recognized product safety organization.

LED lights and decorations make the holiday even greener because they use significantly less energy than traditional bulbs – reducing the carbon footprint and usage cost. 

Electrical distribution or lighting equipment accounts for 44 percent of home Christmas tree fires according to a recent study conducted by the National Fire Protection Association.  

These simple safety tips will help protect your loved ones from the risk of shock or fire, minimize your electricity bill, and reduce your environmental footprint:

• Look for the UL label and carefully read instructions on your lights and other devices.
• Do not use inside lights outside.
• Check electric cords for worn spots or fraying. Replace cords that are worn or frayed.
• Don’t place electric cords under carpets or furniture.
• Never attempt to retrieve an electrical product that has fallen in water.
• Never staple or nail cords to walls or baseboards.
• Don’t overload outlets or powers strips. Overheated wires can start fires.
• Never remove the third prong from a plug to make it fit a two-prong outlet. 

Control the costs of holiday lighting displays with these simple steps:

• Replace old lights with LEDs. 
• Use automatic timers to turn lights on in the evening and off at midnight, instead of leaving them on overnight.
• Look for the Energy Star label on lighting and any electronics or appliances you buy as gifts. These models meet stricter standards and can dramatically reduce energy usage compared to standard models.
• Use power strips. To save energy, shut off the strip when the appliances are not used.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $12 billion in annual revenues and $56 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3.4 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, N.Y.