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It’s almost that time of year again! Time to dig out your boxes and bins of holiday decorations–or go out and buy more. So many wonderful, beautiful, and flammable ways to celebrate the season!
Every year, about 800 house fires are sparked by holiday decorations, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Many of those fires begin with a Christmas tree. In addition to millions of dollars in property damage, there’s a small but serious chance of injury and death.
Even if they’re a bargain, don’t buy lights that do not have a safety certification. You’ll find a tag or marking from UL, or Underwriters Laboratory. A red mark indicates that the lights can be used indoors or outdoors. A green mark means the lights can only be safely used indoors. It’s also smart to choose LED lights over other types of bulbs. These lights use less electricity and run much cooler, reducing the risk of overheating.
Sure, you want the biggest and best light show on the block. But linking too many strings of lights together or overloading an outlet could cause a fire. Using multiple extension cords–or running cords that are only rated for indoor use to outside light displays–is not safe, either. Run cords away from high-traffic areas and make sure that they are secured.
Don’t forget to turn everything off before bed. Although you might like the idea of drifting off to the sparkle of the lights outside your window or in your living room, it’s too risky. You should also turn off the lights if you’ll be away from home.
Santa checks his list twice–and you should do the same for your holiday lights. Since these are items that only get used once a year and then stored, you need to take extra care before you plug them in. If stored improperly, the protective coating on the cord could crack, exposing the bare wires. That’s a serious fire hazard, and those lights need to get thrown away.
Loose wires, cracked bulbs, and damaged sockets can all be an issue with strings of lights. That damage is often caused when the lights are put up or taken down. Be sure not to staple or nail through the cords.
If you use battery-powered decorations or lights, don’t store them with the batteries inside. If you accidentally left the power cells in their chambers, check for corrosion before replacing them.
There’s an undeniable magic about a real Christmas tree. The delicate smell of pine or spruce, the natural beauty of the outdoors–it transforms the holidays into something truly special.
But it’s also a big, dead tree that you’ve covered in lights and flammable decorations. Never put a real tree anywhere near a fireplace, space heater, or other heat source. Keep it watered to ensure that you get as much life out of it as possible.
While fake trees have some advantages over the real thing, don’t assume that they are safer. Buy a fire-resistant tree–but keep an extinguisher nearby just in case.
