Outdoor lighting safety Published Dec. 14, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Jermaine B. Goodman 375th Air Mobility Wing Safety Office SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The holidays will be here before you know it and there is so much to do. It's time for shopping, decorating indoors, attending parties and sending cards to our friends and family. For some, it's also time to decorate their yard and the exterior of their house. Unfortunately, along with the holiday excitement, injuries due to electrical shock, slips, trips and falls also increase. By planning ahead, you can reduce your chance of being injured. Before you begin working on your outdoor holiday masterpiece take the following precautions. Exterior Lights Read the manufacturer's instructions. Inspect light strings before plugging them in; look for damaged or frayed cords. Replace blown, damaged or missing bulbs to reduce the chance of an electrical short or a fire. Check the weather and reschedule your decorating if it's raining, snowing or windy. Don't plug more than three sets of lights into one extension cord. Use the right fasteners to hang light strings and don't damage the wires. Use a light timer or turn off your lights when you go to bed. Extension Cords Check extension cords for damage. Don't link multiple cords together. Watch out for the cords while you are decorating, they can become a tripping hazard. Ladders If you use a ladder, place it on a level surface. Straight or extension ladders should be tied off or secured to the surface they are leaned against. When using a step ladder, don't stand on the top of the ladder or one step below the top. When a family member or friend is available, ask them to hold the bottom of the ladder. Move the ladder to the proper location, don't lean or hang off the ladder.