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Health Tip: Check Holiday Lights

(HealthDay News) -- Glittering holiday lights are a delight to the eyes, but they can be a fire hazard if they aren't inspected and maintained.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these safety guidelines for holiday lights:

• Carefully inspect all lights, even brand new ones, to look for frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.

• Never use electrical lights with a metallic tree. Faulty lights could charge the tree, and anyone touching the tree could be electrocuted.

• If using lights outside, make sure they're approved for outdoor use. Never use nails or tacks to hang them; instead use hooks or insulated staples.

• Always plug outdoor lights into sockets with ground circuit interrupters.

• Turn off all holiday lights before going to bed or leaving your home.