Be festive and frugal as you deck the halls this year

WOOD COUNTY — As you deck the halls, don’t overload your outlets...or your energy bill. These simple tips will help you enjoy a festive, frugal and fire-free holiday season.
Make a list and check it twice. Use the holiday lighting cost calculator on Wisconsin Public Service’s (WPS) website to compare your options this season and get an idea of what to expect on your energy bill.
Hanging 25,000 twinkle lights? Switch to LEDs. They use less energy compared to old incandescent lights and can last up to 20 years.
Timing is everything. Put your holiday lights and powered outdoor decorations on a timer. That way, there’s no risk you’ll forget to turn them off when you go to bed.
Reflect on your options. Rather than adding more lights to your tree, brighten existing lighting with tinsel, mirrored ornaments and other reflective items.

Simplify and save. Consider using festive floodlights on the outside of your home rather than multiple strands of string lights. Halogen and LED bulbs will use less energy.
Stay off the naughty list. Make sure to inspect your strands of lights and throw away any that are damaged. Also, don’t overload your outlets or string too many lights together — follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how many strings you can connect and how to connect them safely.
For more energy efficiency tips, go to the WPS website.