Holiday Decorations – The Safe Way

Christmas is around the corner and that means many across the Bluegrass will begin setting up their Christmas decorations.

But taking safety tips from Clark Griswold, might not be the best idea. Lexington firefighters said setting up your Christmas decorations safely is they key to success.

Annually, during the two months surrounding the holiday season, more than 14,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries related to holiday decorating, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

“We recommend you check your lights to make sure they are all in good working order before you hang them,” Lexington Fire Captain Brian Dawson said. “That way you can fix them at ground level.”

“Always err on the side of caution and take your time when performing these tasks,” Dawson said. “And you’ll have a happy holiday season.”

The CPSC said whether it is careful candle placement or checking the warning label on the holiday lights, simple safety steps can go a long way in preventing fires and injuries.

Trees and Decorations

• When purchasing a live tree, DO check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, DO place it away from heat sources such as fireplaces, vents, and radiators. Because heated rooms dry out live trees rapidly, be sure to monitor water levels and keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and do not block doorways.
• In homes with small children, DO take special care to avoid sharp, weighted or breakable decorations, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

Lights

• Indoors or outside, DO use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA.
• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets. DON’T use electric lights on a metallic tree.
• If using an extension cord, DO make sure it is rated for the intended use.
• When using lights outdoors, DO check labels to be sure the lights have been certified for outdoor use and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected receptacle or a portable GFCI.

Candles

• Keep burning candles within sight. DO extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room or leave the house.
• DO keep lighted candles away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.