Safe Use of Christmas Lights

Dry trees and improper use of Christmas lights can lead to holiday tragedy. Here are some ways you can minimize chances of trouble:

* Use lights and bulbs approved by Underwriters Laboratories. These burn cooler and meet stricter safety requirements.

* Do not use outdoor bulbs indoors; they generate more heat, which dries the tree faster and may cause it to ignite.

* Minilights generate less heat and are safer.

Minilights

Watts: 0.72 each

Maximum heat

UL-approved: Cannot exceed 194 degrees

Non-UL-approved: Varies, could exceed 230 degrees

Some decorations, usually tree toppers, are equipped with special 12-volt minilights. Do not use these bulbs in combination with lower-voltage minilights.

Large bulbs

Watts: 7-9 each

Maximum heat

UL-approved: Cannot exceed 194 degrees

Non-UL-approved: Varies, could exceed 300 degrees

Fire Facts

A dry tree can be totally consumed by fire in three seconds, generating such intense heat that surrounding furnishings, walls and window coverings ignite in less than a minute.

More Information: Orange County Fire Authority Web site at https://www.ocfa.org; Underwriters Laboratories Web site at https://www.ul.com .

Tree Tips

* Purchase a tree that has been treated with flame-retardant material.

* Needles should be springy and difficult to pull off the tree.

* Position the tree away from fireplaces, heaters, sunny windows or other sources of heat.

* Do not block exits with the tree or rearranged furniture.

* Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

* Dispose of the tree once it becomes dry. Do not burn it in your fireplace.

* Allow space around the tree to ventilate heat generated by lights

* Check cords for loose plugs and frayed or exposed wires; when in doubt, throw them out.

* Do not allow pets or children to chew cords.

* Small replacement bulbs are a choking hazard; keep away from children.

* Tighten bulbs in sockets to prevent arcing.

* Make sure exterior lights are approved for outdoor use.

* Do not link more than three strands of lights to one extension cord.

* Plug lights into a multiple-socket surge protector or ground-fault circuit interrupter, which acts as a safety fuse.

* Turn off lights before leaving the house or going to bed.

Celebrating the Season on a Massive Scale

Big Christmas trees like the 115-foot one at Fashion Island require careful calculating and balancing of electrical load. It is lighted using multiple, heavy-gauge cords and larger light bulbs than those used for residential decorations. Power comes from a main transformer beneath the tree.

* In an average home, five to seven wall receptacles are connected to each 15-20 amp circuit breaker. If the combined power use on all of those outlets exceeds capacity, the circuit breaker trips.

Amperage Comparison:

Less than two amps: average home Christmas tree with three 100-light strings of minilights

300 amps: Fashion Island Christmas tree with 17,000 lights

Source: Orange County Fire Authority; Underwriters Laboratories; Matt Segal, maintenance director, Fashion Island

Graphics reporting by JANICE JONES DODDS and PAUL DUGINSKI / Los Angeles Times