Winter Holidays Safety

Suggestions from the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Fire Protection Association

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.
- Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. 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. Connect no more
than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
- 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 stove top.
- 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.

Before Going to Bed:

- Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

Tips for Wrapping Up the Holidays Safely from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)

“Holiday decorations are meant for temporary use,” says ESFI president Brett Brenner. “Keeping your decorations up for extended periods leaves wires unnecessarily exposed to the elements, which can decrease the product’s shelf life and increase the risk of electrical hazards, such as fire, shock, and electrocution.”

ESFI offers the following suggestions for wrapping up after the holidays and ensuring that decorations are removed and stored properly so that they will be safe for use next year:

- Look for and discard broken or faulty lights.
- Ensure that electrical cords are in good condition, and wire insulation is not frayed or cracked.
- Separate and label indoor and outdoor decorations.
- Inspect ladders for loose or missing screws, hinges, bolts, and nuts.
- Avoid yanking or tugging on electrical cords when unplugging them to prevent damage to the cord.
- Store decorations away from children, pets, and water.
- Send warranty and product registration forms to manufacturers in order to be notified promptly in the event
of a product recall.