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Using black lights and/or
any other lights or electrical devices such as strings of
decorative lights, fog machines, strobe lights, animatronics or other electrically
powered decorations can all add to the ambience of your
Halloween haunt, but they can also create the added dangers of fire, electrocution and other nasty and
potentially disastrous accidents. It is very important that you look for and eliminate
potential dangers from your Halloween lights and other decorations that could lead to fires and
injuries.
Never leave black light
units or any
other electrical Halloween decorations, props or
special effects devices plugged in when you
leave the house or
when you go to bed. The lights could
short out and start a house fire. Always have at least one
fire extinguisher available and know how to use it.
Its a good idea to
attach a smoke detector to the wall or
ceiling in the rooms where you use black
lights. Don't use electrical decorations or light strings
near materials that could easily catch fire. Follow the use and care instructions that accompany your electrical
decorations closely and stay within there intended limits. In homes
with small children or animals, take special care to
avoid decorations that are sharp or easily breakable.
Remember, most black light units are not weather or
water proof.
Make
sure that all electrical plugs that are plugged into
outlets and/or extension cords are plugged in safely.
Don't overload extension cords or allow them to run
through water or snow. Don't staple or
nail through light strings or electrical/extension cords
as you could damage the wire or protective insulation, which could
lead to an electrical shock or fire.
Carefully inspect
each electrical decoration before use.
Before using any light strings, animated displays or
other electrical products outdoors, make sure the product is approved and marked "for outdoor use"
and that it is UL listed. Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
Cracked or
frayed sockets, damaged plugs, loose or bare wires, and loose
connections could cause a serious electrical shock or start a fire.
Discard damaged sets of lights or electric props that can no
longer be used safely or repaired.
Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees,
house walls, or other firm supports to protect any outdoor lights from wind damage. Use only
insulated staples to hold strings or cords in place, do not nails or tacks. Or,
you can run strings of lights
through hooks (available at hardware stores). For long cords, an
extension cord wrap or spool works great to manage and
store them on. Plastic cable ties are also another way
to bind excess cord together to make them more
manageable. Carefully pack away the
black light unit and bulb, preferably in its original
box.
Generally
speaking,
most black light units don't require that much
electrical power to operate, with
high powered
black light cannons being an exception. Most household circuit
breakers are rated up to either ten or fifteen amps (you can tell by looking at the
breakers themselves), and household current is generally 110 volts. Amps times volts equal
the amount of watts that a breaker can handle without tripping. With caution, learn what
breakers protect each section of your home and label them. Don't overload
individual circuit
breakers by adding to many electrical devices. For added electric shock protection,
you can plug
outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits that are protected by ground fault circuit
interrupters (GFCIs).
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