Safe Holiday Decorating Is Not Top of Mind With Ontarians

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 2, 2011) - A survey commissioned by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), has found that Ontarians are guilty of skipping basic steps when decorating this holiday season. With an increasingly busy holiday schedule and growing to-do lists, many Ontarians are ignoring important safety steps and guidelines when putting up their holiday lights. The Electrical Safety Authority, a leader in electrical safety, is urging Ontarians to check for overhead power lines before using a ladder to put up decorations, and to practice safe holiday decorating.

"The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, but we encourage you to practice safe holiday decorating by taking the necessary safety steps when putting up decorative lights, such as checking your lights for damage or frayed wires before decorating and following indoor and outdoor use guidelines," said Peter Marcucci, Vice President and Chief Public Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Authority. "Following these safety guidelines will help to avoid electrical mishaps in home so you can enjoy this time with family and friends."

When decorating for the holidays, be sure to look up and look out, and stay clear of overhead power lines. Other safety tips include avoiding overloading the electrical outlets, power bars and circuits, and using ground fault circuit interrupter protected outlets for outdoor lights.

The Electrical Safety Authority conducts annual holiday surveys and has found that only 15% of Ontarians check for overhead power lines before decorating outdoors and that 24% do not thoroughly check their electrical holiday decorations and extension cords for damage before use. More than a quarter of Ontarians (26%) report that they typically leave their outdoor holiday lights up all winter, with 7% admitting that their holiday lights are still up from last season.

Electrical holiday decorations also are prone to damages and deterioration over time. The 2011 Holiday Survey found that almost 20% of Ontarians are using lights that are over five years old. When purchasing new electrical decorations, the Electrical Safety Authority encourages consumers to protect themselves by purchasing products that bear the mark of a recognized certification agency.

For more tips on how to decorate safely this holiday season, please visit the Electrical Safety Authority website at www.esasafe.com.

About the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)

Established in 1999 as a self-sustaining, not-for-profit corporation, the Electrical Safety Authority's mission is to improve electrical safety for the well-being of the people of Ontario. The overall vision of the ESA is to achieve zero electrical accidents, injuries and fatalities across Ontario. More information on the Electrical Safety Authority can be found on their website www.esasafe.com.

About the Electrical Safety Authority Holiday Lights Survey

This daily Omnibus Survey was conducted on November 22, 2011 by Angus Reid Public Opinion, and includes the opinions of 800 randomly selected Ontarian adults who are Angus Reid panellists.