Decorating the house is one of those activities that really helps set the tone for the holiday season. At our own houses, it gets us in the mood, and at other people’s houses, it’s a signal that they’re in the spirit, too.
As much fun as it is to spread joy during the season, it’s important to do it safely.
Here are a few tips we want to pass from our house to yours.
Holiday Season Safety Facts
- One-third of home decoration fires are started by candles.
- Two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
Holiday decorating
- Be careful with holiday decorations.
- Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
- Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
- Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
- Keep decorations away from windows and doors.
Holiday Entertaining
- Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
- Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
- Ask smokers to smoke outside.
- Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
- Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers.
- Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.
Also, make sure to blow out lit candles when you leave a room or go to bed, and turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
To download a copy of these tips to share with family and friends, click HERE.
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Research