Holiday Safety

December 14, 2009

Interview with John Drengenberg, Consumer Safety Director for Underwriters Laboratories

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Mike Carruthers:
Safety should always be a concern around the holidays and it starts with the Christmas tree.

John Drengenberg:
There are about ten serious tree fires, on average, everyday during the holiday season somewhere in the United States.

John Drengenberg

John Drengenberg, Consumer Safety Director for Underwriters Laboratories, says it is absolutely critical that you make sure your tree has enough water.

But you know Mike, the one statistic that is so interesting and most people don’t realize - that no matter how well you keep your tree watered they’ll really only last for about four weeks, maximum. So you have to plan your traditions around that four-week limit.

Not all electric decorations can be used outdoors - some are only designed for indoor use.

And the best way to check that out is, there’s usually a UL label on the cord right near the plug. And that has a "UL" in a circle and if that UL in a circle is a green color that means that’s an indoor decoration it should never be used outdoors. If it’s red, it’s a decoration that can be used outdoors as well as indoors.

If you’re using the new style LED Christmas lights you don’t have to worry much about plugging too many into one outlet. But otherwise…

The recommendation is that if you’re using the screw in type light bulbs - the older style - no more than 50 should be plugged into each outlet. But if you’re using the push in type lights - the little mini lights - those we recommend no more than 3 light strings.

To hear the complete unedited interview, click here.