Safety Tips for Holiday Decorating
By Nancy Rodriguez Casanova
As you get into the holiday spirit and decorate your home, it’s important to take note of simple steps you can take to avoid a holiday fire.
Candle fires peak in December, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and nearly one in five Christmas tree fires are sparked by decorative lights. These fires usually occur when flammable objects such as furniture, curtains or decorations are too close to a candle.
Minimize the risk of a home fire involving holiday decorations with these tips:
Planning ahead
• Be sure to test all smoke alarms monthly in your home to ensure that they are working properly.
• Remember to inspect decorations that have been in storage and to dispose of any that are cracked, have frayed wiring or contain broken bulbs because these can cause electrical shocks, burns or fires.
• Look around the areas you are planning to decorate and determine how many outlets are available so you can plan accordingly.
• Read the instructions that come with your electrical decorations to be sure you are using them appropriately (i.e., indoor vs. outdoor use). The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommends you buy electrical equipment with a label indicating it has gone through independent testing by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Remember not to overload extension cords and to never connect two to extend their length.
• Before climbing a ladder to put up your holiday lights, inspect it for loose or missing screws. Thousands of people are injured each year in falls related to holiday decorations.
Outdoor decoration safety tips
• Before and during your decorating process, be sure to always look up and look out for power lines and never install lights and cords within 10 feet of the wires or utility poles.
• Be sure that decorations meant for outdoor use are appropriately labeled for outdoor use only.
• When hanging lights outdoors, use a wooden or fiberglass ladder. Be sure your ladder is stable and secure before putting up your holiday lights.
• Outdoor electrical decorations should always be plugged into ground fault circuit interrupter-protected outlets.
Christmas tree safety tips
• For live trees, be sure to fill your tree stand with water and refill daily since heated rooms can quickly dry them out.
• Don’t use electrical ornaments or light strings on artificial trees that have metallic leaves or branch coverings.
• To help avoid fires, remember to place your tree at least 3 feet away from all heat sources, such as fireplaces or space heaters.
Decorating statistics to keep in mind
• According to ESFI, 45% of home decoration fires are sparked by candles, with December being the peak time of year for candle fires.
• The top three days for candle fires are Christmas, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
• About 5,800 people are hospitalized each year for falls associated with holiday decorations.
For more electrical safety tips, visit sce.com/staysafe.
