“Five-four-three-two-one!” the crowd cheered as a four-story tall Christmas tree was lit up at the city of Inglewood’s first Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Forum.

During this holiday season, Southern California Edison (SCE) partnered with Inglewood to provide holiday decorating safety messages and electrical safety information to its residents by declaring Dec. 9 “Holiday Electrical Safety Day.”

At the city’s tree lighting ceremony, SCE provided residents with safe decorating tips, an emergency preparedness kit, a collapsible water bottle and a flashlight. The utility also distributed red cable ties so lights can be hung safely without stapling, tacking or nailing lights to fixtures. 

“I appreciate the information Edison provided to the community, especially inspecting all holiday decorations for possible safety issues,” said Barbara Jones, one of about 4,000 people who attended the lighting ceremony. “I also love the cable ties I received and will definitely use them for when I put up my Christmas lights.” 

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts also presented a proclamation to SCE, thanking the utility for its commitment to sharing safety and holiday decorating tips with the city’s residents.

SCE region manager Marvin Jackmon accepted the proclamation on behalf of SCE and provided numerous decorating tips for a safe holiday, including not using medal ladders when decorating because they may conduct electricity.

“If you see a downed power line, what is the first thing you should do?” Jackmon asked the crowd attending the ceremony. 

“Call 911,” one of the kids in the crowd answered back.