Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA ― The scary economy may be haunting family budgets, but more Americans than ever will not give it a ghost of a chance of spoiling Halloween. According to a National Retail Federation’s 2011 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, seven in 10 Americans plan to trick, treat, or decorate for Oct. 31 and they plan to spend an average of $72 on decorations, costumes and candy – up from $66 last year. The NRF says spending on Halloween decorations is second only to spending on Christmas lights and ornaments.
The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative wants Halloween to be fun and safe. NOVEC advises adults and parents of trick-or-treat ghosts, goblins, and little princesses to use electrical Halloween lights, fog machines, black lights, and animatronics safely to avoid fires or electrocution. Follow these do’s and don’ts:
- Make sure electrical decorations are approved by a nationally recognized certification organization, such as Underwriters Laboratory. Look for the UL label.
- Make sure decorations used outdoors are marked for outdoor use.
- Inspect light strings for dangerous cracked, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out dangerous strings.
- When installing light strings, fasten them securely to trees, railings, or other firm supports, but don’t puncture them with nails or staples.
- Don’t connect too many light strings together or overload circuit breakers or fuses.
- Don’t place cords in snow or water.
- Plug lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. Purchase portable outdoor GFCIs at electrical, hardware or home supply stores.
- If using incandescent holiday lights that produce heat or candles, keep them away from dry leaves or children in costume. LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights don’t produce heat and are safer – and use less energy.
- Have a fire extinguisher available and know how to use it.
- Turn out all lights and decorations before leaving or going to bed.
- Make sure house walkways are clear and well lit for trick-or-treaters.