12/02/2025
Holiday Safety Tips
1. Avoid Overloading Electrical Outlets
- Plug holiday lights and decor into grounded outlets and use power strips with surge protection.
- Overloaded outlets can overheat and spark, significantly increasing the risk of electrical fires during the holiday season.
2. Inspect Holiday Lights Before Use
- Check for frayed wires, cracked sockets, and loose connections before hanging lights.
- Damaged wiring can lead to short circuits and fires, especially when lights are left one for long periods.
3. Keep Decorations Away From Heat Sources
- Place trees, garlands, and other decor at least three feet from heaters, fireplaces, and candles.
- Dry or synthetic decorations ignite easily, and proximity to heat sources greatly increases fire hazards.
4. Use Flame-Free Alternatives
- Swap traditional candles for battery-operated candles or LED decor.
- Open flames are a major holiday fire hazard and can quickly ignite nearby decorations or fabrics.
5. Turn Off Lights When Unattended
- Switch off holiday lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
- Continuous, unsupervised use of lights increases the risk of electrical fires due to overheating or wiring failures.
6. Secure Cords and Decorations to Prevent Tripping
- Keep cords out of walkways and use cord covers where needed.
- Loose cords and low-lying decorations increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls during busy holiday gatherings.
7. Maintain Live Trees Properly
- Water real trees daily and dispose of them promptly when they begin drying out.
- Dry evergreen burns extremely fast, and a spark from lights or a nearby heat source can cause rapid fire spread.
