10 Fire Safety Tips for Holiday Decorating

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

10 Fire Safety Tips for Holiday Decorating

Seasonal decorations, such as lights, trees, and wreaths, can help you get into the holiday spirit in your home. However, if decorations (particularly lights) are not used appropriately, they can pose a safety risk or cause fires.  

Make sure your family is safe over the holidays. Read the manufacturer's instructions for each item before using it to learn how to use it properly. To guarantee that your holiday lights and decorations are placed correctly, follow these best practices:

1. Check lights for frayed wires or cracks, and make sure each socket has a bulb. Discard and replace any strands that are damaged.
2. Keep ladders and decorations away from electrical lines when decorating outside. Before climbing, make sure the ladder is securely in place on the ground.
3. Underwriters Laboratory approval is required for lights. The letters "UL" will be prominently displayed on the tag, indicating that the product has been thoroughly inspected for possible safety dangers. The lights with red UL marks are safe for both indoor and outdoor usage, whereas the lights with green UL marks are exclusively safe for indoor use.
4. When hanging lights, avoid hammering tacks or nails into the electrical cord. Instead, secure lights to the house with clips.
5. Use heavy-duty extension cables, and only use cords outside if they are labeled as such. Use no more than three sets of standard lights per extension cord to avoid overloading them.
6. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)  should be used to connect outdoor lights and inflatable decorations to circuits. When the currents of the hot and neutral wires differ, GFCIs help prevent electric shock by breaking the circuit.
7. Before going to bed or if you'll be gone from home, set a timer or turn out the lights.
8. Use no more than two special ornaments per string that plug into a bulb receptacle, or see the manufacturer's instructions.
9. Indoor lights should not be allowed to come into contact with draperies, furniture, or carpets. Also, keep lit candles away from flammable materials.
10. Place cords and decorations in low-traffic locations where they won't be stepped on to avoid tripping. Cords should not be yanked, pinched, or crushed.

You will avoid risks and focus on friends and family during the holidays by taking basic precautions both inside and outside your house. Don't forget to check your lights and decorations throughout the season to make sure they're still working properly.

Happy Holidays, Stay Safe!