PORTLAND, Ore. — One of the greatest gifts you can give your family this year will never appear under your tree – it’s the gift of safety. Pacific Power offers several suggestions to help ensure a safe holiday season:

• Never use indoor lights outdoors.
• Check electrical cords for frayed wires.
• Use only safety-tested lights and extension cords that carry the UL label.
• When using a ladder to hang lights outdoors, always stay at least 10 feet away from any overhead power lines.
• Never modify three-pronged plugs to fit two-pronged sockets.
• Don’t overload extension cords or outlets with too many plugs.
• Test extension cords. If they’re hot to the touch, it’s likely a sign of a serious problem.
• Always turn off holiday lights when going to bed or leaving home.
• Never put extension cords under rugs, and keep them away from water, heat sources or metal pipes.
• Keep multi-purpose, or ABC, fire extinguishers in the home in case of electrical fire.

In addition, children should be reminded of the basic rules of electrical safety. Keep electrically powered games, toys and appliances away from water, and keep little hands away from wires, cords and outlets. Adults should help children heed the safety precautions included with games, toys and other electronic items.

Pacific Power encourages everyone to keep electrical safety in mind during the holidays and throughout the year, and to remember the most basic rule of all – use common sense.

For additional electrical safety information, call toll free at 1-800-375-7085 or visit Pacific Power on the Web at www.pacificpower.net/safety.