It’s cooling down and holiday spirit is in the air. For many, it’s time to start holiday decorating! While holiday decorating adds beauty to your home, it can also bring added risk. Trees, garlands, and lights can add extra fire hazards if not used properly. The last thing you want for Christmas is a homeowners insurance claim to deal with. But don’t worry, we have a few tips to keep your home and your family safe this holiday.
Christmas Tree Safety
- Keep a fresh-cut tree outdoors and cover the trunk in snow, or immerse it in a bucket of water until you are ready to decorate it.
- When you are ready to put up a live tree, cut a 1- or 2-inch diagonal off the bottom of the trunk. The new cut will help the tree to absorb water, which preserves its freshness.
- Select a spot for the tree that is at least three feet away from a heat source.
- Put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand with widespread legs, and keep the stand filled with water.
- Once a tree becomes dried out, do not keep it in your home or garage, as it is highly flammable.
Holiday Lighting Safety
- Mixing and matching lights can create a fire hazard, so keep outside lights outdoors and inside lights indoors.
- Always buy lights and electrical decorations bearing the name of an independent testing lab, such as UL, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance.
- Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings before using them. Throw away any that appear damaged.
- When hanging your lights, string lights together using built-in connectors. Do not join more than 200 midget lights or 50 larger lamps through one string or cord.
- Do not connect more than three sets of lights to one extension cord.
- Remember to unplug all decorations and lights, both inside and outside your home, before leaving or going to bed.
- If you blow a fuse, unplug the lights from the outlet and immediately replace the blown fuse. If the replacement fuse blows again, a short circuit may be present. Throw the faulty light string or decoration away, or if it is new, return it for a refund.
- When hanging lights outside use a ladder made of non conductive materials to reduce the risk of electrocution.
Candle Safety
- Place candles in stable holders and in a spot where they cannot be easily disturbed.
- Never use lit candles to decorate your Christmas tree.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended, and always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
- Avoid placing candles near flammable objects.
- Keep burning candles out of the reach of children.
Taking extra precautions while decorating can be the difference between a relaxing holiday season or a tragic holiday season.
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