The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration and family gatherings. As you decorate your home, it’s important to keep safety in mind. A few simple precautions can help ensure a safe and festive holiday season.
Christmas Trees
Each year, hundreds of home fires across the U.S. are ignited by decorations, with Christmas trees being a common culprit.
- Real Trees: Opt for a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Before placing it in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk and trim away loose branches as necessary. Always keep a real tree well-watered.
- Artificial Trees: Ensure the tree you select has a fire-resistant label and avoid using electric lights on metallic trees.
Keep Christmas trees away from heat sources such as fireplaces and radiators. Additionally, ensure the tree is out of the way of traffic and does not block doorways or exits.
Lighting
41% of Christmas tree fires involve electrical distribution or lighting equipment. It is crucial to ensure your decorations are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Inspect your lights for worn cords, broken bulbs or loose connections. Discard damaged sets.
- Use the right lights for the right place. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
- Turn off all lights on trees and other decorations before going to bed or leaving the house.
Candles
The winter months are peak time for candle fires, with December seeing 46% of incidents.
- Never leave burning candles unattended and blow out all flames when leaving a room or going to bed.
- Keep candles at least a foot away from flammable materials including other decorations and wrapping paper.
- Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over.
To avoid a house fire, install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them monthly and replace the batteries yearly. Replace the entire alarm every 10 years. Read our fire safety blog for more information on fire prevention in the home and workplace.
Reach Out to an Advisor
Contact a SISCO risk consultant to learn more about fire safety tips, discuss your specific needs and develop a comprehensive safety plan.