Energy-saving LED holiday lights free with donation to Hopelink

Published 10:24 am Tuesday, December 1, 2009

With the arrival of the holiday season and festive decorating underway, Puget Sound Energy reminds customers to stay safe and save energy by using ENERGY STAR®-rated LED (light emitting diode) decorative holiday lights.

LED lighting uses plastic lenses (instead of glass), making them less likely to break and significantly cooler to the touch, and they can be used indoors and outdoors.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that if every household switched to using LED holiday lights, the country would save approximately $410 million in electricity costs. Most major retailers now carry LED holiday lights.

PSE is also working with Hopelink to give away free LED light strings to customers who bring $10 or a 10-pound bag of groceries to the PSE/Hopelink booth at select events in King County during the first week of December.

PSE offers the following safety tips for decorating a home or business with holiday lights.

Check for overhead power lines before installing outdoor lights. Make sure ladders, lights and people are at least 15 feet away from overhead power lines.

Never insert nails, staples or tacks through any electrical wiring.

Discard light strands with bare wires, worn cords or broken plugs to prevent fires.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the number of light strings that can safely be connected together.

Never run extension cords under carpets or area rugs. They can overheat or get damaged, resulting in a fire.

Make sure that all lights and cords are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) approved.

Turn off all holiday lights before going to bed or leaving home. Save energy by connecting your lights to a timer so that they are only on during the hours you select.

Only lights designed for outdoor use should be used outdoors.

For more information, go to www.pse.com.