Follow these guidelines to avoid damage from holiday lights:
- Always use appropriate weatherproof lights outdoors
- Blow out candles before leaving the room. Don't leave candles burning unattended
- Check all lighting for frayed wires, broken plugs, sockets, etc
- Give the gift of life - Give smoke detectors
- Never hang lights on a metallic tree
- Never overload outlets. Use no more than three strands of lights on a single extension cord. Never use candles on trees or place near other flammable decorations
- Purchase lights and electric decorations which are listed by an approved testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratories(UL) or Factory Mutual(FM)
- Unplug all lighting before retiring for the evening or leaving the house
Tree Safety
Safety information and guidelines will help prevent fires due to holiday trees:
- Artificial trees should have a fire retardant label
- Dispose of the tree properly; preferably soon after the holiday before the needles dry out
- Keep trees away from heat
- Never leave a lighted tree unattended
- Never use a cut tree in a place of public assembly (apartment or hotel lobbies, restaurants, etc.)
- Never use candles as decorations
- Use a non-tip tree stand
- Use fire retardant decorations only
- Water a cut tree at least daily