Health Tip: Check Holiday Lights

Look for problems before you plug them in

(HealthDay News) -- Glittering holiday lights are a delight to the eyes, but they can be a fire hazard if they aren't inspected and maintained.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these safety guidelines for holiday lights:

Carefully inspect all lights, even brand new ones, to look for frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.
Never use electrical lights with a metallic tree. Faulty lights could charge the tree, and anyone touching the tree could be electrocuted.
If using lights outside, make sure they're approved for outdoor use. Never use nails or tacks to hang them; instead use hooks or insulated staples.
Always plug outdoor lights into sockets with ground circuit interrupters.
Turn off all holiday lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

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