The holidays are a time of fun and festivities, however, you should always be diligent about safety, even during the holidays. Christmas decorations, although gorgeous and fun to assemble, can pose a fire hazard. Because of this, it is important for those celebrating the holidays with decorations to keep some very important safety tips in mind.
Select a fire-resistant artificial tree
When selecting an artificial Christmas tree, always look for the tree to be labeled as “fire-resistant.” An artificial Christmas that is fire-resistant isn’t unable to catch on fire, however, it is capable of resisting catching on fire and should it catch on fire, the fire isn’t likely to spread across the tree very quickly and is likely to be easier to extinguish.
Select a fresh real Christmas tree
If you decide to choose a real tree for Christmas, be sure to check the tree for freshness. An old tree is much more likely to have become dried out and thus poses a greater fire risk than a fresh tree, which is still moist. To check for freshness, try pulling on the needles. The needles of a fresh tree will resist being pulled from the branches, while the needles of an old tree will fall out easily.
Place the tree safely
When selecting a location to set up your tree, be especially careful to avoid placing the tree near any fireplaces, radiators, heaters or any other sources of heat. Placing a Christmas tree near any of these things could pose a potential fire hazard.
Use only non-flammable decorations
When decorating your Christmas tree, be sure to only use decorations that are non-flammable. When selecting decorations such as tinsel, holly and ornaments, be very diligent regarding the fire safety standards of each decoration.
Check your lights
Prior to placing Christmas lights on your tree or around your home, check each strand for any missing bulbs, frayed or exposed wire and any other damage. If a strand of lights is damaged in any way, throw the strand out and buy new ones.
Only use lights that meet safety standards
Newer lights, such as those manufactured within the last five years, have been tested to conform to certain safety standards. Additionally, newer lights have been designed not to reach higher temperatures. Older lights, such as many of the lights manufactured in the 1980’s and 1990’s, burth hotter, thus posing a greater fire hazard. It is best to avoid these lights and instead, opt for newer lights that are known to conform to current safety standards.
Shut lights off at night
It might seem unnecessary, but Christmas lights should always be shut off before you go to bed. By shutting Christmas lights off before you retire for the night, you reduce the chances a fire could erupt and, being unattended, grow larger.
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