It’s the time of year once again when many folks decorate their homes for the holidays. So I thought it would be helpful to review some simple steps to help ensure a safe and energy-efficient season. By considering these tips when decorating, you’ll enjoy your holiday display without a big jump in your energy bill.

Improvements over the years in the efficiency of decorations have helped lower energy use. Miniature holiday lights, for example, have replaced larger bulbs in most decorations. Commonly sold in 50 or 100 light strings, miniature lights use only half-a-watt per bulb. They also stay much cooler than the older styles and last longer.

For even greater savings, the latest trend in holiday lighting is to switch to decorations that use Light Emitting Diodes instead of bulbs. LEDs use 90 percent less energy than bulbs, are more durable and can last years longer. Operating ten strings of mini-LED lights as compared to ten strings of standard mini-lights can save nearly $12 in energy costs in one month.

A good way to keep bills down and stay safe, regardless of your choice of lights, is to be sure to turn them off when you’re away from home or before going to bed. Depending on your personal schedule, using timers to control when the lights go on and off may be a good option.

For safety, be sure that electrical circuits and extension cords are properly rated and not overloaded. Before reusing last year’s lighted decorations, inspect them for damage to wires or sockets and always unplug them before replacing fuses or bulbs.

When decorating outdoors, use only outdoor-approved displays, light sets and extension cords. And be sure to plug them into outlets protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters.

To see a usage comparison of holiday lights, or for information about NSTAR’s energy efficiency programs, click on “Energy Efficiency” in the left side menu above. In my next column, I’ll revisit the reasons why everyone should look into scheduling an energy audit for their home.