Brighten the holidays safely with tips from Entergy New Orleans

11/26/2024

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Susan Henry|504-670-3613|shenry4@entergy.com

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, filled with cozy gatherings, cherished traditions, and festive decorations. Whether you plan to set up a sparkling outdoor display or create a warm atmosphere indoors, Entergy New Orleans encourages customers to keep safety top of mind this holiday season.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated average of 835 home structure fires per year caused by decorations, excluding trees. These incidents result in an annual average of 3 civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries and $14 million in direct property damage. Nearly 20% of these decoration-related fires are caused by lamps or bulbs, while candles account for 11%.

To help keep the holiday season safe and joyful, Entergy New Orleans encourages customers to keep the following tips in mind when decorating for celebrations:

Indoor lighting:

Position your tree safely: Place it in a stand with water and keep it away from heat sources like fireplaces. Check the water daily to prevent your tree from drying out.
Inspect lights carefully: Discard any strands with frayed cords or cracked bulbs to avoid shock hazards.
Choose energy-efficient LED lights: Cool-burning LED lights help you save on energy costs and stay safe.
Avoid flammable decorations: Don’t use candles on or near the tree and choose non-flammable decor.
Turn off lights when unattended: Always switch off lights when leaving the room or going to bed.

Outdoor lighting:

Use outdoor-rated lights only: These lights are made to withstand weather conditions and keep your home safe.
Plug into GFCI outlets: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets provide added protection from electrical shocks.
Choose Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-listed lights: UL labels ensure that your lights are tested for outdoor safety.
Keep connections dry: Use rubber gaskets to keep water out of sockets and keep lights off the ground by hanging them on stakes.
Switch off outdoor lights when away: Save energy and enhance safety by turning off outdoor lighting when you’re not home or are going to sleep.

For more tips on how to practice lighting and decoration safety during the holiday season, visit the National Fire Protection Association website.

About Entergy New Orleans

Entergy New Orleans, LLC provides electricity to approximately 208,000 customers and natural gas to approximately 109,000 customers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Entergy New Orleans is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy New Orleans, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyNOLA on social media.