LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — This week's cold snap is a remind that winter and the holiday season are almost here. Twinkling lights and other plug-in decorations are festive but they don't come without risks.
Houses all around are, or soon will be, lit up for the holiday season. While the lights are pretty, if people aren't careful there is the potential for a house fire.
"When you deal with the holiday season, you see an increase in fires. And electricity is something you don't want to take chances with," Daniel Lowry, with Kentucky Utilities said.
But by simple a few precautions, you'll be able to keep your home safe. Kentucky Utilities calls it, the rule of three; don't put more than three sets of lights on one extension cord.
"Make sure you use the multi outlet power strips that have their own circuit breakers," Lowry said.
KU says before hanging lights on trees outside, make sure the trees haven't grown into any power lines. As for trees inside your home, their placement is important.
"You don't want to put it near a heat source, where it can dry out and there can be a fire risk. You don't want to put it next to a fire place or even your TV. You want to keep it in a place that's got it's own ventilation and it's cool," Lowry said.
