Holiday Decorating Safety: How to Prevent Fires and Accidents at Home

Holiday lights, candles, and a beautiful tree make the home feel warm and festive. But decorations also bring extra electrical cords, open flames, and dry greenery into the house. Every year, fire departments respond to home fires that started with decorations, Christmas trees, or candles. The good news is that most of these accidents are easy to prevent. A few careful habits let you enjoy the season without putting your family or your home at risk.

Check your lights before you hang them

Many holiday lights come out of a box once a year, after months in a garage or attic. Before you use them, plug each string in and look closely:

• Throw away any set with frayed or cracked wires, broken sockets, or loose connections.
• Replace burned-out bulbs with the same type and wattage the manufacturer recommends.
• Look for a label from a recognized testing lab, such as UL, ETL, or CSA, when you buy new lights.

If a string of lights feels hot, smells like burning plastic, or keeps tripping a breaker, don’t use it.

Use the right lights in the right place

Lights are made for either indoor use, outdoor use, or both. The package will tell you. Outdoor lights are built to handle rain, snow, and cold. Indoor lights are not. Using indoor lights outside can lead to electrical shocks or fires.

When you hang lights outside:

• Use extension cords rated for outdoor use.
• Plug them into outlets with GFCI protection (the outlets with “test” and “reset” buttons).
• Use plastic clips or hooks made for holiday lights. Never use nails or staples, since they can damage the wires.

Don’t overload outlets and cords

It is tempting to plug everything into one outlet. That is one of the most common causes of electrical fires during the holidays.

• Follow the package instructions for how many light strings can be connected end to end.
• Avoid plugging several power strips into each other.
• Don’t run extension cords under rugs or through doorways, where they can get damaged or overheat.
• If a cord or plug feels warm, unplug it and spread the load to other outlets.

Turn decorations off when you sleep or leave

Lights left on all night or while you are away can overheat without anyone noticing. Make it a habit to turn off all indoor and outdoor decorations before bed and before leaving the house. An inexpensive timer can do this for you automatically.

Keep your Christmas tree fresh and away from heat

A dry Christmas tree can catch fire and burn very quickly. If you use a real tree:

• Choose a fresh tree with green needles that don’t fall off easily.
• Cut about two inches off the bottom of the trunk before you put it in the stand. This helps it absorb water.
• Add water to the stand every day. A tree can drink a lot, especially in the first week.
• Keep the tree at least three feet away from fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles, and heat vents.
• Make sure the tree doesn’t block a door or exit.
• Remove the tree after the holidays, once it starts to dry out. Don’t leave it in the house or garage.

If you use an artificial tree, look for one labeled “fire resistant.”

Be careful with candles

Candles are beautiful, but they are also open flames. To use them safely:

• Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, decorations, paper, and the tree.
• Place them on sturdy holders that won’t tip over.
• Never leave a burning candle in an empty room, and blow out all candles before bed.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.

Battery-operated flameless candles are a great alternative. They look nice and remove the fire risk completely.

Watch out for children and pets

Small ornaments, hooks, and light bulbs can be choking hazards for young children and pets. Place fragile and small decorations high on the tree, and keep cords out of reach so they can’t be chewed or pulled. Some holiday plants can also upset a pet’s stomach, so keep them out of reach.

Use ladders safely

Many holiday injuries happen when people fall while hanging lights. Use a sturdy ladder on flat ground, don’t stand on the top step, and keep three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand). If possible, ask someone to hold the ladder for you.

Make sure your safety basics are ready

Before the holiday season, take a few minutes to:

• Test your smoke alarms and replace weak batteries.
• Check your carbon monoxide alarms if you use a fireplace or gas appliances.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it.
• Make sure everyone in the home knows how to get out quickly in an emergency.

The bottom line

Holiday decorations should bring joy, not danger. Check your lights, use the right cords and outlets, keep your tree watered and away from heat, and never leave candles or lights on when no one is watching. These simple steps take only a few minutes, and they help keep your home safe and bright all season long.