PEORIA, Ill., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stay bright, save light and cash this holiday season by decking the halls with ENERGY STAR qualified decorative lighting which consume 75 percent less electricity than conventional incandescent holiday lights, according to the Ameren Illinois Utilities. Nationwide, electricity usage could be reduced by more than 2 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), an amount equal to the electricity typically used in a year by more than 192,000 single family homes if all holiday light strings sold this year are ENERGY STAR qualified. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions could be cut by the equivalent of the emissions from about 300,000 automobiles. By using ENERGY STAR qualified lighting, customers can extend the life of their holiday lights by up to ten times. Many ENERGY STAR qualified light strings feature the highly energy efficient LED (light emitting diode) technology. Other advantages of ENERGY STAR qualified light strings: -- Last up to 10 times longer than traditional lights. -- Reduce the risk of injury, especially among children, and fires because they are cool to the touch. -- Are independently tested to meet strict electrical safety requirements. -- Have three-year warranties. Additional energy savings tips are available at the Ameren Illinois Utilities new Act On Energy(TM) Web site (http://www.actonenergy.com/). The Ameren Illinois Utilities also remind customers that prevention is the key to electrical and natural gas safety during the holiday season. Electricity safety tips include: -- Use lights that have been safety tested by an independent laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). For outdoor lighting, use lights certified for outdoor use and use heavy duty outdoor certified extension cords. -- Never overload electrical circuits or outlets. -- Never use more than three standard light sets per extension cord -- Plug outdoor cords into GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets. It is suggested that GFCI outlets be used for indoor lights, as well. -- Keep electrical connections off the ground and away from water. -- Keep outside lights, decorations and ladders away from overhead utility lines. -- Only use insulated staples to attach extension cords and lights to wood. Never use nails, tacks or regular staples. -- Make certain lights, decorations and other electrical devices are disconnected when installing or working on them. -- Never leave holiday lights on when away from your residence or overnight. -- Do not place cords under rugs or carpets, where they can be walked upon or where someone can trip over them. -- Never replace a fuse with one designed for a higher amperage or with a coin. A fuse that repeatedly blows or a circuit-breaker that repeatedly trips is an indication of an overloaded circuit. If the problem continues after unplugging lights or devices, have the circuit inspected by an electrician. Natural gas safety tips: -- Illinois law requires that carbon monoxide detectors be placed in homes and apartments. -- To help avoid the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, it is recommended that a qualified plumber or heating professional annually inspect and clean furnace systems. Special attention needs to be paid to the flue. A rusty or loose fitting flue may cause a vent to malfunction. Improper venting of a furnace may cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Flues that also vent through walls must be clear of snow, leaves and other types of blockage to prevent Carbon Monoxide from backing into the home. -- Never hang any item from a natural gas or propane pipe. The added weight could pull down the pipe. -- Never use the kitchen oven as a heating source. Natural gas ovens produce carbon monoxide that will escape into the house when the oven door is left open. In addition, the oven could overheat and cause a fire. Cooking with the oven is safe because the oven cycles on and off when the oven door is closed. -- Never store combustible materials within a few feet of the furnace or water heater. -- Call a qualified plumber or heating professional to inspect the furnace if it cycles on or off with a loud noise or otherwise malfunctions. Ignition should be smooth and quiet in a properly maintained furnace. -- If you detect a strong odor of natural gas, immediately leave your home or business and call your Ameren Illinois Utilities company (AmerenCILCO - 1-888-672-5252; AmerenCIPS - 1-888-789-2477; AmerenIP - 1-800-755-5000). Do not turn lights on or off, operate any electrical device, use a phone or light a match inside or near the building. -- If you detect a faint odor of natural gas, attempt to follow the odor to its source. It may be an extinguished pilot light or a partially turned on burner valve. These are problems you can safely and easily fix. If the odor persists, call your Ameren Illinois Utilities company. The Ameren Illinois Utilities serve 1.2 million electric customers and more than 840,000 natural gas customers in a 43,700-square-mile area of Illinois. DATASOURCE: Ameren Illinois Utilities CONTACT: Leigh Morris, +1-217-535-5228, or Neal Johnson, +1-309-677-5284, or Victoria Busch, +1-618-346-1286, all of Ameren Illinois Utilities Web site: http://www.ameren.com/

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