Electricians advise on safe use of Christmas decorations

The Safe Christmas initiative aims to guide Puerto Rico families on the risks associated with electrical connections in the decorations that are widely used during the holiday season.

By The Star Staff

Electrical Experts Association of Puerto Rico (CPEPR by its initials in Spanish) President Frances Berríos Meléndez has launched the institution’s Safe Christmas 2024 campaign through social media.

The initiative aims to guide Puerto Rico families on the risks associated with electrical connections in the decorations that are widely used during the long-awaited holiday season.

Safe Christmas is an effort to ensure that Christmas festivities are enjoyed with the peace of mind that citizens deserve, which is why Berríos Meléndez stressed the importance of prioritizing electrical safety in Puerto Rican homes.

“Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, but we must not forget that, with the excitement of decorations, come responsibilities and, sometimes, risks that we have to prevent,” she said. “Depending on the decoration’s magnitude, families must take time to evaluate their electrical system with a licensed and certified electrical expert. In this way, we guarantee that everything is in optimal condition and with minimal risk of accidents or losses.”

To facilitate access to qualified professionals for the community, the CPEPR has set up its website, www.colegiodeperitoselectricistas.org, where interested parties will find a list of electricians organized by towns, allowing them to select the one of their preference and ensure that their system is properly checked before the festivities.

Berríos Meléndez noted that overloading circuits is one of the most common and dangerous errors. The practice causes overheating in the electrical system and increases the risk of fires. Therefore, it is advisable to check the capacity of the circuits and distribute decorations equitably. Each family should know the number of lights, extensions, and devices they use, to avoid connecting more than the system can handle.

“Electrical cables and extensions should be inspected before being used,” the CPEPR president said. “Those that show damage, such as torn or exposed covers, are dangerous and should be replaced immediately. Keeping all types of lights and cables away from curtains, furniture, and other flammable materials is advisable. The combination of attractive decorations and lack of caution can result in unfortunate incidents. There should be no extension cords on the floor, especially where children or older adults can trip and fall.”

Berríos Meléndez noted further that the use of timers for decorations makes it easier to control when the lights turn on and off and minimizes the risk of forgetting to turn them off at night’s end. Extension cords, meanwhile, should not be exposed on the floor, especially in high-traffic areas, where lawnmowers are used, or where pets can bite them; this can result in a risk of electrocution if someone steps on them.

“We recommend using certified cables that meet the standards of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent safety organization that sets standards for electrical and electronic products,” Berríos Meléndez said. “Cables that have UL certification have been tested and meet certain safety and performance criteria.”