YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea - With Christmas just around the corner, many Yongsan families will begin putting up lights and Christmas trees in the coming days. While adding lighting may do a lot to liven up your holiday cheer, there is an increased risk of fire, electrocution, and burns. However, a few small steps can help you mitigate those risks and have a safe holiday season.

We recently talked with U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Safety Manager Mike Evans about exactly what community members can do to reduce risks.

"When it comes to lighting, you want to inspect your light strings before plugging them in. Some warning signs may include cracked lights, frayed wires, and general damage. If you encounter any of these problems, then simply throw away the lights and buy new ones."

Evans added that those in the market for lights should look for legitimate safety certification seals on the packaging, such as UL or ETL logos.

"As a rule, UL recommends not stringing together more than three sets of lights at a time," he added. "You can add an additional level of safety by connecting the lights to a surge protector."

Consumers should also ensure that their lights are properly matched to the voltage output they are using, Evans said. For instance, 110 volt lights plugged into a 220 volt outlet could overheat or explode.

"There are risks associated with lights, and every year across the United States some homes do suffer fire damage due to poor lighting installation, but accidents are not inevitable. You can prevent hazards by following the instructions included with the product."

When putting up your lights this year, remember these additional tips:

• Hang or mount light strands carefully to avoid damaging the cord's insulation

• Unplug all holiday lights when you go to sleep or leave home.

• Plug outdoor decorations into outlets protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent shock.

• Automatic lighting timers can be used to ensure that lights are not left on by mistake. These are available for both indoor and outdoor use.

• Do not put electrical cords under rugs. Try to keep them away from places people walk.

• When replacing a holiday bulb, be sure to use the correct bulb size (wattage) that is right for the fixture.

• Use safety caps to keep children from putting things into electrical receptacles/outlets.

For questions concerning your home or office's safety, contact the Garrison Safety Office at 738-4643.

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