If you have ever seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, then you are well acquainted with how holiday decorating can get extreme – not that most of us decorate quite as Clark did! If you are familiar with that classic light scene, then you know the overabundance of lights results in a spectacular, if not blinding, holiday lights display. Of course, if you pay attention to the segment you will also note an electrician’s and fire safety expert’s nightmare when they show the multitude of extension cords and light strings plugged into an overloaded socket!
Every year US fire departments respond to more than 800 calls, most of which could have been prevented if fire safety had been a part of the holiday decorating. The unsafe decorating results in injuries, deaths, and an average of $11.4 million in property damage per year! We don’t want your business location or home to be included in these statistics. Do your part to promote fire safety and use these tips.
Getting Started with Your Holiday Decorating
1. Find the electrical outlets. If you have a standard layout for your holiday decorations, then it is likely you have already worked out how many outlets you have available to use and where they are located. But if you are a rookie- or perhaps living somewhere new since last year- then knowing what your options are for holiday decorating will help. Take time to ascertain which outlets are accessible and design your decorating to NOT overload the outlets.
2. Choose wisely. When choosing your holiday decorations, be sure they are flame retardant or flame resistant.
3. Check the lights. Opt for lights that have been tested for safety, a certification mark from UL, CSA, ETL, or another recognized lab should be on the package. Also, only use lights designed for the outdoors when decorating outside.
4. Consider LED lights. These lights use less energy, last longer, and run cooler- a definite check in the fire safety column!
5. Know the max. While Clark plugged a plethora of cords into the electrical box/extension cord, this is not the recommended practice! Your electrical outlets are not designed to have 12 cords running to a single outlet! Also, you should never exceed the max number of strings or devices that may be linked together. This information will be on the packaging. Follow it- after all, it has already been tested for fire safety! Typically, you should not connect more than 3 strands of 50 bulbs for the screw-in style bulb.
6. Upon careful inspection…. Don’t begin your holiday decorating until you have tested all the lights and decorations. Carefully inspect them for any damaged sockets, loose or bare wires, broken connectors, or any damage to the electrical outlets- especially the outdoor ones that might not get used often.
Fire Safety and Outdoor Holiday Decorations
1. Keep a safe distance. When doing your outside holiday decorating, keep yourself, any equipment being used, and the decorations at least 10 feet from power lines. In addition, be sure the decorations are protected from the weather, have plenty of ventilation, and are a safe distance from anything flammable.
2. No nails! Use clips, not nails, to hang up your lights, as this will prevent the cords from becoming damaged and becoming a fire hazard. Be sure the cords are secured well, so they won’t be pulled away with a good wind.
3. What type of outdoor sockets do you have? Outdoor holiday decorations should only be plugged into outlets that are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI).
General Fire Safety for Holiday Decorating
1. No mixing. Don’t use electric lights on metallic trees.
2. Turn it off! Always unplug/turn off all holiday decorations when leaving the office or your home at night. Consider using a timer or switch so you can easily turn them off.
3. Freshness matters! If you opt for a live tree, keep it watered so it doesn’t get dried out and thus become a fire-starting risk. If you are using an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled fire-resistant.
4. No blocking! When doing your holiday decorating, never block exits with trees or holiday décor.
Yes, Christmas is just around the corner. So, pull out the myriad of decorations and start decking the halls- and yards, roofs, garages, foyers, windows, and more with an assortment of holiday decorations. But be sure you employ all the holiday fun and decorations by staying aware of these fire safety tips. After all, while Clark Griswold may have put on an amazing light show, the number of fire safety practices ignored is not recommended! If you have questions regarding fire safety and your holiday decorations, don’t hesitate to talk to one of our experts, contact an electrician or even give your local fire department a call. The safety of you and your loved ones is important- don’t take risks with it.
