This time of year, many people are excited to decorate their homes for the holidays! As you hang lights and trim the tree, it’s important to keep electrical safety in mind.

Each year, fires break out due to holiday decor. 

“Between 2017-2021, US fire departments responded to an average of 150 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year,” according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). “US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 793 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees.”

Here are some safety tips specific to lights and Christmas trees: 

Holiday Light Safety Tips

• Inspect holiday lights before you hang them. Replace light sets that are broken or have cracked sockets, frayed/bare wires, or loose connections.

• When hanging lights, try not to pierce or damage the plastic insulation surrounding the wires, as it protects the wiring from water exposure. Avoid nailing, tacking, or stressing wiring. Keep plugs off the ground and away from puddles and snow.

• Always turn your holiday lights off when you go to bed or leave the house. 

(Source: FEMA)

• Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.

• Consider battery-operated flameless candles instead of real candles.

(Source: U.S. Fire Administration)

• Whether decorating indoors or out, only use lights that have been tested for safety. Lights should have a label from an independent testing laboratory.

• Don’t use electric lights on a metallic tree. 

• Don’t use more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

• Faulty lights can cause a tree in your yard to become charged with electricity, and any person touching a branch could be electrocuted. When using spotlights, arrange them above or beside a tree, never fastened to it. 

• Keep “bubbling” lights away from children. The bright colors and bubbling liquid can tempt curious children who may break the candle-shaped glass and attempt to drink liquid, which contains a hazardous chemical.

(Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

While Christmas tree fires aren’t very common overall, The National Fire Protection Association reports that “When they do occur, they are more likely to be serious.” 

Electrical safety is an important consideration when it comes to your Christmas tree. According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.

When purchasing a tree, you may find that many artificial trees are fire-resistant. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends looking for a statement specifying this protection (Source). If you choose to buy a real tree, choose one with “fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched” and cut two inches from the base of the trunk before placing the tree in the stand (NFPA). 

Here are some additional tips from the U.S. Fire Administration:

• Make sure your tree does not block exits and that it is at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles, or heat vents. 

• Water your Christmas tree each day. A dry tree can burn very hot and very fast.

• Throw your tree away after Christmas or as soon as it is dry.

We hope this article provided helpful information to help you stay safe this holiday season!