Worker critically injured while hanging Christmas lights in south Charlotte neighborhood

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A worker was critically hurt after he was electrocuted while hanging Christmas lights in a south Charlotte neighborhood this week.

The accident happened around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, on Merry Mount Drive near Carmel Country Club.

Charlotte firefighters confirmed the electrocution and said one worker was moving an extension ladder when electricity arced from a nearby power line. He was critically injured by the shock.

A bystander immediately started CPR. Once firefighters arrived, they applied an AED and restarted the worker’s heart.

A second worker sustained burns to his hands.

Christmas light installation safety tips

With the holiday season right around the corner, there are some safety tips you can follow to stay safe when getting festive.

Some of those tips are listed below:

• Replace missing/broken bulbs before hanging
• Use a wooden or fiberglass ladder when climbing
• Use indoor lights indoor and outdoor lights outside
• Use only outdoor-rated extension cords outdoors
• Keep plugs away from puddles/water
• Keep light strands off the ground
• Connect no more than 3 strings of incandescent lights together
• Do not run cords through windows or doors
• Look for the “UL” seal to ensure lights meet industry standards

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