It's that time of year again when the people of Arlington take out their Christmas lights and decorations and prepare to make merry! Naturally they worry about using electricity and the environmental impact of their festivity, but most especially they worry about their festive trash.
"Hi, everyone -
OK, we have more than 1 string of Christmas lights (the small bulb, non-LED kind, several years old).
There is clearly an electrical problem of some kind with them. (You can make the lights go on and off by touching random sections of wire, touching bulbs, wiggling wires, etc.)
Obviously we unplugged them, and the lights are coming off the (artificial) Christmas tree. Even if they are fixable (I don't think they are), I want them gone.
So, here's the question: what is the safest way to dispose of them? Can I just bag them up and put them in my trash, or do I take them to the fire station, or what? It's pretty wet out there, but I don't want to take the slightest chance of starting a fire. Thanks in advance for the advice!"
NAME REDACTED
One of the things I miss most about Arlington is the excessive concern residents have about throwing away things that are broken or useless. I miss it even more when other listers are forced to explain basic principles of science.
"They can't start a fire once they're unplugged and at room temperature."
NAME REDACTED
