Man warns of holiday decoration dangers

PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. - Many Hoosiers plan to put out their Christmas trees and lights this weekend. But for one Putnam County man, holiday decorations almost cost him his life.

It's been exactly five years since Shawn Miller was shocked with 7,200 volts of electricity while putting up holiday lights. It happened outside his mom's house in Roachdale.

"I was tossing lights up in the tree and next thing I know, I'm being rushed to the emergency room," said Miller. "Nobody knows if the lights actually came in contact with a power line or if they hit a tree."

Miller lost half of one arm and a finger on another. His sternum was also removed.

"They had to revive me several times. When my mother found me, I was unconscious and had fire coming out of my chest and out of my head," described Miller.

Miller now works with safeelectricity.org , which has a bunch of power safety tips. The site's safety tips include: avoiding loose light bulbs, covering outdoor outlets, avoiding overloading outlets or extension cords, don't patch old cords with electrical tape and be aware of flickering lights.

Miller and wife Melinda are hoping their tragedy will help others avoid trouble.

"Definitely look at what you're doing, you know. Check your lights and wires. Look at your surroundings, it's the biggest thing, know where you're at," said Shawn's wife Melinda.

Saturday marks the five-year anniversary of Miller's accident. He said his still sometimes has pain.