Holiday decorating safety tips offered
Updated April 6, 2020
Lights, trees and ornaments help make the holidays more festive, but residents are reminded to use caution as they decorate to ensure a safe season.
Exterior decorations
- Do not overload circuits with too many lights.
- Make sure that any extension cords running power to exterior lights are shielded from moisture and protected from the weather.
- Secure all exterior decorations to prevent accidents caused by wind or earthquakes.
Interior decorations
- Do not buy a dry Christmas tree.
- Never put a tree near a fireplace or heater.
- Water your Christmas tree every day.
- Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace.
- Dispose of your Christmas tree before it becomes brittle.
- Do not throw any kind of wrapping paper into a fireplace.
- Use caution when using candles.
- Check Christmas lights before you use them. (Never use lights with a frayed cord or missing light bulbs.)
- Turn off all Christmas lights prior to leaving your house.
- Extinguish candles before you leave a room or your home, and before you go to bed.
- Place a screen around your fireplace when it is in use.
