Safety

Deck the Halls, Don’t Burn Them [Infographic]

Dec. 9, 2013

Holiday decorations can add to the fun and excitement of the season, but they also can increase your risk for a home fire.

Sandy Smith

As you deck the halls of your home this season, be fire smart. Follow these basic safety guidelines from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prevent serious electrical and fire hazards during the festivities.

Keep your tree at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles or heat vents;
Do not let your tree (artificial or live) block exits;
Check light sets for frayed or damaged wiring before using;
Always turn off holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed; and
Connect no more than three mini light sets for decorating.

If you have a live tree, remember to add water to the tree stand daily. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. Watch this video by the National Fire Protection Association demonstrating how fast a dry Christmas tree burns compared to one that is watered regularly.

Don’t let disaster ruin your holiday! Learn the facts about home holiday fires in support of the America’s PrepareAthon! campaign to increase disaster preparedness in your community.

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About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.