1. December 2016 25
Christmas safety and savings during the holidays
by Claire Sellers
Christmas is meant for making memories with those you love. Duck River Electric Member-
ship Corporation has been powering holiday moments for more than 80 years. Follow these
tips to ensure a safer and more energy-efficient season of celebration:
If you are purchasing a live tree this holiday season, make sure to check for freshness. A fresh
tree will stay green longer and won’t dry out as quickly. A dried-out tree can become a fire hazard,
so check the water in your tree’s stand daily.Place your tree at least 3 feet away from heat sources. Keep the 3-foot separation in mind when
hanging stockings, too.Remember not to overload electrical outlets.If you are a candle-lover and have children, consider purchasing battery-operated candles
instead of traditional ones to avoid open-flame hazards.
Remember to avoid putting lights and decorations on the lower limbs of your Christmas trees if
there are small children in the house. Also, don’t allow your children to play with cords, lights or
electrical decorations.
History of electric Christmas lights
1882 – Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison,
becomes the first person to decorate a Christmas tree
with colored electric lights.
1895 – President Grover Cleveland unveils the first
electrically lit Christmas tree in the White House.
Late 1900s – Electric Christmas tree lights are mass-
produced.
World War II – Fear of enemy air raids (blackout
rules) and a shortage of materials due to the war
effort impact the Christmas tree light industry.
But in 1945, Americans again embrace the
iconic symbol of the holidays: strings of
electric lights on trees, houses and
stores.
1960s – Traditional Christmas tree
lights compete with new-fangled
aluminum Christmas trees, illuminated by
colored light wheels.
1970s – Mini-lights become the rage.
The small bulbs with plastic bases have
cheaper price tags and use less electricity.
Today – LED (light-emitting diode) Christmas tree
lights are the choice of holiday decorators who want
energy efficiency and longer bulb life.
Looking forward to the next 80 years
by Claire Sellers
We hope you enjoyed celebrating 80 years of light with
Duck River EMC in 2016. More than 80 years later, we
continue the legacy of lighting homes, farms, businesses and
industries of southern Middle Tennessee.
As this year comes to a close, remember that DREMC is
still committed to providing reliable, affordable electricity, the
highest level of member care and unparalleled service to the
communities in our service area.
Electrified Christmas!