December is the peak time for house fires because they can be caused by faulty holiday decorations, overloaded outlets and improperly used extension cords. It’s important to take precautions as you’re decorating for the holidays. This includes swapping out old bulbs for new LED lights. Traditional bulbs, especially older C7 or C9 hot-filament styles, pose a higher fire risk. “Whatever lights you’re buying, you want to make sure they’re tested by a national laboratory, and they have a UL label on them,” said Jennifer Hawton of PEMCO Mutual Insurance. “And you want to make sure you’re putting them in the right outlets.” Hawton recommends not overloading outlets and always using lights and extension cords rated for outdoor use when decorating outdoors. It’s also key to check your surge protectors. “Surge protectors have a lifespan, and their lifespan is generally five years,” Hawton said. “PEMCO tip: take out a Sharpie and write the date when you buy the surge protector.” To prevent issues, don’t run cords under rugs or furniture. Also avoid pinching cords in doors or windows. When unplugging, pull the plug itself, not the cord. A sign you might have an issue is a circuit breaker popping, signaling an overloaded circuit. Spread lighting displays across different circuits to prevent overheating. If there is a fire, it’s important not to throw water on an electrical fire. Ensuring you have an effective fire extinguisher can be a game changer in an emergency. “Not every fire extinguisher is rated to deal with an electrical fire, so check yours before it happens,” Hawton said. Newer homes are equipped with specific outlets that can help prevent fires and shocks. Older homes may lack these safeguards, so you may want to have an electrician assess your system. “It is the holidays,” Hawton said. “Have some fun but be thoughtful.” For more tips on how to prevent electrical fires this season, visit the PEMCO website. Sponsored by PEMCO Mutual Insurance Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.