No Tricks, All Treats with ComEd Safety and Energy-Saving Tips

Spooky season is well underway, and while pumpkins, candles, lights, and animatronic decorations are all effective ways to give your neighbors a good scare, there’s nothing more terrifying than a safety incident, or even a paranormal electric bill!

This Halloween season, follow ComEd’s electrical safety practices, and learn how to keep energy vampires from running up your home’s energy usage.

“The safety and well-being of our customers and employees is our number one priority at ComEd,” said Melissa Washington, senior vice president of customer operations and strategic initiatives at ComEd. “As your electric utility company, serving more than 9 million people here in the northern Illinois region, we are sharing safety and energy-saving tips that anyone can practice at home to ensure all of us can enjoy the season free from real-life scares.”

Halloween Electrical Safety

Avoid a real fright by practicing the following safety habits when decking out your haunted house.

• Steer clear of power lines
  • Especially when putting up oversized lawn ornaments, make sure to stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines and other electrical equipment.
  • Secure your decorations firmly to the ground using stakes, tethers, or sandbags to keep them stable through windy conditions.

• Inspect decorations
  • Before plugging in any electrical decorations, inspect cords and plugs for frayed wires or exposed insulation. If you find any damage, don’t plug it in and replace the item.

• Avoid overloading circuits
  • Avoid plugging too many decorations or lights into one outlet to prevent overloading and overheating circuits, which can cause fires.
  • Use surge protectors and heavy-duty extension cords for multiple devices, and ensure they are rated for the wattage of the lights or devices you’re using.

• Outdoor lighting safety
  • If placing any extension cords or lights outside, make sure they are weatherproof, rated for outdoor use, and UL certified – a safety standard certification indicated by a sticker.
  • Keep plugs and connections off the ground and away from puddles or damp areas.
  • Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets for any outdoor lighting to prevent electric shocks, especially in wet conditions.

• Proper light usage
  • Turn off all electrical decorations when not home or before going to bed to avoid potential hazards.
  • Switch to LED lights which are more energy-efficient and run cooler than traditional incandescent bulbs, reducing the risk of overheating and causing a fire.

• Keep cords safe
  • Avoid running extension cords across walkways or under rugs where they can become tripping hazards or overheat. If cords must cross a path, use cord covers.
  • Ensure cords are not pinched in doors or windows, which can damage the insulation and cause short circuits.

• Keep Jack-o-Lanterns safe
  • Use battery-operated LED lights or glow sticks inside pumpkins instead of traditional candles or electrical lights with cords to reduce the risk of fires or electrical hazards.

• Child safety
  • Supervise children around any electrical decorations or outlets to prevent them from unplugging or tampering with cords and lights.
  • Teach children not to touch electrical decorations or cords and to stay away from power lines when trick-or-treating.

Deter Energy Vampires & Maximize Savings!

Just as horrifying as Hollywood’s vampires, energy vampires can drain power and drive up your electric bills. That’s why ComEd warns against electronics like TVs, videogame consoles, computers, and kitchen appliances that continue to draw energy even when turned off or on standby while still plugged in. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these devices can account for up to 10 percent of a home’s overall energy usage and can cost the average household up to $100 per year. Adopt the following energy efficiency tips to avoid falling victim to energy vampires!

• Unplug
  • Simply unplug your electronic devices and chargers when not in use, as well as other battery-powered electronics once they’re fully charged.

• Use Power Strips
  • Use surge protectors or advanced power strips, like those on the ComEd Marketplace, with on/off switches to plug in appliances and other electronic devices. When the power strip is turned off, all plugged-in products are truly off.

• Use Smart Outlets
  • Also found on the ComEd Marketplace, Wi-Fi smart outlets or plugs provide more control over your devices from wherever you are. Remotely turn your devices on or off or set a timer to manage your home’s energy use.

• Consider ENERGY STAR®-certified products
  • Many ENERGY STAR®-certified home appliances, electronics and other products are energy efficient and use less power when on standby in comparison to non-ENERGY STAR®-certified products.

ComEd wishes you a very happy Halloween free of safety hazards and creepy energy vampires. To learn more ways to manage your energy use and save money this fall season and the rest of the year, click here.