FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2004

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Larry Graham, Manager NIPSCO Communications (260) 439-1330

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - Each year, hospital emergency rooms treat over 8,000 people for injuries such as falls, cuts, and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations, and Christmas trees, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), as part of an ongoing effort to remind consumers how to safely use electricity and related holiday decorations, offers the following holiday electrical safety tips:

• Carefully inspect each electrical decoration. Cracked or frayed sockets, loose connections or bare wires may cause a serious shock or start a fire.

• Avoid stapling or nailing through light strings or electrical extension cords. This could damage the wire or insulation, which could lead to an electrical shock or fire.

• Avoid overloading extension cords or allowing them to run through water or snow on the ground. Plug outdoor lights into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) with no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

• Before using any light strings, animated displays or other electrical products outdoors, make sure the product is approved by a nationally recognized certification organization such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and marked "For Outdoor Use."

• Avoid using electrical ornaments or light strings on artificial trees with metallic leaves or branch coverings. This could create an electrical shock.

• Turn off all electrical light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

• Follow the use and care instructions that accompany your electrical decorations.

• Whether artificial or freshly cut, a tree should be kept a safe distance away from all sources of heat. Also, make sure the tree doesn't block any exits.

NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With nearly 700,000 natural gas customers and 440,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana, NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state. NiSource distribution companies serve 3.7 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. More information about NIPSCO is available at www.nipsco.nisource.com.