It’s the most cheerful season of the year. However, many don't realize that it can also be a time of potential hazards. The National Fire Protection Association finds that an average of 990 home fires are started each from decorations and Christmas trees. So, while you’re gearing up to celebrate, ensure safety is at the top of your mind with these holiday safety tips.

Tree Safety

For many, a tree is a hallmark of the holiday season. However, they can also be one of the most hazardous holiday decorations. If ignited, a tree can burn an entire room in under a minute. Keep these safety tips in mind:

• If you choose a live tree, make sure it’s fresh. The needles should be green and hard to pull from the branches. Fresh trees contain more moisture, making them less likely to catch fire.
• If you choose an artificial tree, make sure it’s fire-resistant. Although artificial trees are less likely to catch fire than live trees, they can still be a fire hazard. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Keep your tree at least three feet from any heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, or candles.
• Do not place your tree in front of any exits. In addition to being inconvenient, blocking exits is a safety concern in the event of a fire or other emergency.
• Water your live tree daily. Standard trees (around 6 feet) need at least one gallon of water daily, and taller trees need more. 
• After the holidays, dispose of your tree promptly. The longer you have it, the drier it gets and the more flammable it becomes.

Light Safety

Another staple of the holiday season: lights! While they’re beautiful to look at, they do pose safety risks – such as falls, electrocution, and fire hazards.

• Check for missing or broken bulbs and damaged strings before plugging lights in. This will prevent hours of frustrating checks once they are installed and reduce the risk of fire or electrocution from these issues.
• Choose the right lights. Although indoor and outdoor lights are often used interchangeably, there are differences. For example, indoor lights are less bright and hot, while outdoor lights are built to be weather-resistant. Make sure you’re using your lights as the manufacturer intended. And the same principle applies to extension cords.
• Don’t overload your outlets. Plugging in extension cord after extension cord is dangerous. An overloaded outlet can cause fires (and increase your energy bills).
• Shut off the lights when you’re not home or sleeping. If your holiday lights malfunction, you want to be present and alert so you can act quickly. Light timers are also a great option since they’re automatic. This helps you save on energy, too.
• Use LEDs. LED holiday lights use 90% less energy than incandescent options. LEDs also emit a fraction of the heat, making them safer for decorating.

Candle Safety

The scent of balsam or sugar cookies wafting through the air is a holiday favorite. While the scents and ambiance are hard to beat, an open flame always poses safety risks.

• Before lighting, always trim wicks to ¼ inch using scissors or a wick trimmer. This goes for both new and used candles. Uneven or long wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping, or flaring.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from flammable items such as curtains, bedding, tissue boxes, decorations, trees, etc.
• Keep candles in occupied rooms. You should never leave a candle burning unattended.
• Stay out of reach. Candles should be kept out of reach of children or pets that can knock them over or injure themselves from the flame.
• Use official candle holders. Just because a candle fits in a bowl or vase does not mean it should be used as a candle holder. Only use heat-resistant, sturdy vessels for your candles.
• If you go out, blow it out. Make sure to extinguish all candles before leaving the house or going to sleep.

General Holiday Safety Tips

When it comes to safety-proofing your home or business for the holidays, there are many more boxes to check! Keep these additional tips in mind:

• Keep a working fire extinguisher handy (and make sure everyone knows how to use it).
• Test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed.
• Keep stockings and other decorations away from the fireplace.
• Keep potentially harmful holiday plants (such as poinsettias, holly berries, and mistletoe) out of reach of pets and children.
• Be cautious when hanging outdoor lights. Don’t do it when you’re home alone, and make sure to use the correct ladder.

Looking for additional holiday safety tips? Check out our “Cook Safely This Holiday Season While Saving Energy” blog!