Wing safety offers holiday decorating tips, policies

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kasey Zickmund
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  As service members and their families prepare for the holidays, the 18th Wing Ground Safety office here wants to ensure everyone has a mishap-free holiday season.

Many Americans are injured each year while decorating or as a result of the decorations themselves. About 8,700 people are injured each year due to falls, cuts, and electrical shocks while hanging Christmas lights.

"People should always take safety precautions when stringing lights together," said Staff Sergeant John Grumbley, 18th Wing Ground Safety. "Good old common sense is a good idea; we do not want to see any 'Clark Griswalds' out there!"

There are also about 400 fires annually in the U.S. resulting in an average of 20 deaths, 70 injuries, and $15 million in property loss or damage as result of inappropriate hanging lights. To lessen the chances of disaster striking on base, the following Air Force guidelines apply to all base housing residents:
· Electric string lights and wiring must be approved and in good operating condition.
· Unplug all electrical decorations when your home is unoccupied.
· Decorations must be noncombustible or fire retardant.
· Larger decorations such as Christmas trees or fake fireplaces must not block exits.
· Decorations with an open flame are prohibited.

Tech. Sergeant Mark Hazelbaker, 18th Wing Ground Safety NCO in-charge, advises services members and families to:
· Fasten outdoor lights securely to protect them from wind damage.
· Avoid using tacks, nails or metal staples to secure light strands. Pre-installed hooks are safe and convenient.
· Install lights with the power off to avoid shock if an exposed wire is touched.
· Never use indoor lights outside. Lights with a green label are for indoor use; those with a red label are for outdoors.
· Check light strands for broken sockets, loose connections, frayed or bare wires.
· For added electrocution protection, plug lights into circuits protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters.

"We just want everyone to have safe and happy holidays," said Sergeant Hazelbaker.