OTHER than the traditional Christmas tree, nothing says holidays like decorative lighting. But if you get carried away with the holiday spirit, you may get a surprise gift in January: an expensive utility bill. Whether on the outside or inside of the home, leaving Christmas lights on all day can result in an electric bill that’s four times the usual cost.

But you can prevent utility-bill shock and still keep the holidays bright with a common sense approach. The Alliance to Save Energy offers the following suggestions to help consumers keep costs under control and make the holiday season safe:

·         Keep lights on no more than six hours per evening. Turn Christmas lights off during the day or when you are not at home. Timers that can shut off lights at a set time provide the best solution. Always turn lights off before you go to bed.

·         Think about energy-saving LED (light emitting diode) holiday lights, which use about 99 percent less energy than larger, traditional holiday bulbs. When used indoors to decorate a Christmas tree or fireplace mantel, LED lights can last up to 100,000 hours.

·         Do not overload your electrical circuits. Check the fuse or circuit breaker panel to see how much your home can handle, and don’t put stress on the system beyond the recommended limit. Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) on each circuit for outdoor lighting, which can automatically terminate the current when a leak is detected. Cover outdoor plugs and connector joints with a water-resistant layer and electrical tape.

·         Never use electric decorations on artificial trees with metallic needles, leaves or branches. Otherwise, there’s a chance of electric shock. Consider placing colored spotlights above or beside the tree but not attached to it. It’s also best to go with an artificial tree that is flame retardant.

·         Be sure your lights have an Underwriters Laboratories (UL symbol) safety listing. Keep extension cords and light sets away from the tree stand, and be sure to keep a real tree watered. This prevents the tree’s branches from drying out, and possibly catching fire from hot bulbs.

·         Finally, once the holidays come to a close, take down all lights.