For most families, decorating their homes is as much a part of the holiday tradition as waiting for Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve.

Although strings of colored lights, fresh greenery, electric displays and other decorations can make the Yuletide bright, they can also cause fire or other injuries. Alabama Power urges customers to put safety first and use these tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) as they hang their decorations this year.

Here are some safety tips:

• Inspect all lights, decorations and extension cords for damage before using them.
• Take care when decorating near power lines. Keep yourself and all equipment at least 10 feet from power lines.
• Plug outdoor lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be installed without any special knowledge or equipment.
• Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when hanging outdoor decorations. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
• Use the right height ladder, making sure it extends at least 3 feet past the edge of the roof.
• Whether decorating indoors or out, avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many lights or electrical decorations. They can overheat and cause a fire.
• Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows or under heavy furniture, which could damage cord insulation.
• In homes with small children, avoid putting lights, breakable ornaments, metal hooks or other small “mouth-sized” decorations near the floor or on lower limbs.
• Never allow children to play with garlands, strings of lights or electrical cords because they can cause little ones to become strangled.
• Ensure that live Christmas trees remain fresh and green by filling the stand with water every day. Trees that have become dry or brittle are more likely to catch fire if they are exposed to a spark or open flame.
• Keep lit candles away from the tree, gift packages, curtains and flammable items, and never leave them unattended.
• Turn off all electrical indoor and outdoor decorations before leaving home or turning in for the night.

For more holiday safety tips, go to the ESFI website.