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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (December 4, 2025) – As the festive season approaches, Rhode Island Energy (RIE) is encouraging customers to keep safety top of mind while celebrating their traditions. Whether you’re decorating your home, lighting candles, or gathering with loved ones, RIE is putting the safety of its customers on its wish list and offers the following tips for a joyful season:

Indoor safety:

According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical cords or lighting equipment were involved in more than 40% of home holiday tree fires, and nearly one in five were started by decorative lights.

• Make sure natural trees are well-watered to prevent the heat of incandescent light bulbs from igniting a fire
• Test smoke alarms to ensure they are in good working order and change their batteries, if necessary
• Avoid overloading branches or hanging ornaments on wires
• Keep extension cords and strings of lights away from water sources
• An artificial tree should carry the Underwriters Laboratories label, signifying that it has been tested for flammability
• Never use electric-powered decorations on trees with metallic needles or branches
• Only use tree trimmings and decorations that are noncombustible, flame-resistant, and nontoxic
• Unplug lights before going to bed or leaving home
• Always keep pets away from cords, decorations, and tree water bowls

Outdoor safety:

• Never hang decorations near or on power lines, which carry live electricity - coming into contact with a power line could cause serious or fatal injury
• Keep at least 10 feet between decorations and power lines, and never use an aluminum ladder within 10 feet of electrical equipment
• Practice basic ladder safety - Make sure the ladder is on firm, level ground, wear slip-resistant shoes, and to prevent collapse or falls, always maintain three points of contact
• Keep outdoor cord connections dry by using waterproof cord covers to protect connections, or by keeping them off the ground
• Fasten all outdoor lights securely to your home or trees to prevent wind damage - If using nails or hooks, ensure they are insulated to avoid fire or shock
• Plug exterior lighting into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) -- these devices will automatically cut power when faults occur, preventing electric shock
• Don’t overload circuits - overloading a home’s electric circuits can trip fuses and breakers

Additionally, RIE reminds customers that it offers various programs and services to help save energy, manage bills, and access financial assistance.

Customers can take advantage of the following programs today:

• Sign up for Budget Billing and spread your payments evenly across 12 months
• Explore the benefits of energy efficiency through our rebate programs or a no-cost Home Energy Assessment
• Take advantage of direct support offered through the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, our Discount Rates program, and LIHEAP
• Reach out to our Customer Advocates - these dedicated team members will help you identify the best assistance solutions

For more information on these programs and for additional bill help resources, please visit rienergy.com/toolkit.

About Rhode Island Energy 

Rhode Island Energy provides essential energy services to over 770,000 customers across Rhode Island through the delivery of electricity and natural gas. Our team of more than 1,300 employees is dedicated to helping Rhode Island customers and communities thrive, while supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future. Rhode Island Energy is part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient, and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions.  

For more information visit www.RIEnergy.com and stay connected on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.