Holiday Decorating Safety

Holiday Decorating Safety:

  • Never use lighted candles near trees, boughs, curtains, or any potentially flammable item.
  • Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass “angel hair.”  It can irritate your eyes and skin.  A common substitute is non-flammable cotton.
  • When spraying artificial snow on windows or other surfaces, be sure to follow directions carefully.  These sprays can irritate your lungs if you inhale them.
  • Small children may think that holiday plants look good enough to eat, but many plants may be poisonous or can cause severe stomach problems.  Plants to watch out for include: mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis
  • When displaying a tree, cut off about two inches of the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand. Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly.
  • Stand your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources.  Make sure the tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.
  • Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.
  • If you use an artificial tree, choose one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant.  Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.
  • Only use indoor lights indoors (and outdoor lights only outdoors).  Look for the UL label.  Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections.  Replace or repair any damaged light sets.
  • Use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord.  Extension cords should be placed against the wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs, around furniture legs or across doorways.
  • Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.  Unplug extension cords when not in use.
  • If using a natural tree, make sure it is well watered to avoid dry branches from catching fire from the heat of light bulbs.
  • When displaying outdoor lights, fasten them firmly to a secure support with insulated staples or hooks to avoid wind damage.  Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow.
  • Get rid of your tree after Christmas.  Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home.  Check with your local community to find a recycling program.  Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

Ladder Safety:

  • When putting up holiday decorations, always use the proper step stool or ladder to reach high places. Don’t stand on chairs, desks or other furniture.
  • If you have to use a step ladder near a doorway, lock or barricade the door and post signs so no one will open it and knock you off the ladder.
  • A straight or extension ladder should be placed one foot away from the surface it rests against for every four feet of ladder height.
  • When you climb, always face the ladder and grip the runs to climb – not the side rails. Always keep three points of contact on the ladder whether two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
  • When climbing, keep your hips between the side rails and do not lean too far or overreach. Reposition the ladder closer to the work instead.
  • Use ladders with slip-resistant feet and wear clean, dry and slip-resistant shoes when climbing a ladder.
  • When using ladders outdoors, get down immediately if high winds, rain, snow or other inclement weather begins. Winds can blow you off the ladder and rain or snow can make both the rungs and the ground slippery.