Family gatherings, flickering lights, and festive decorations are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they can also present fire risks. The following winter holiday safety tips will help you prevent hazards both inside and outside your home so you can focus on friends, family, and fun during the holidays.

Holiday decorating Safety Tips

• Choose flame resistant or flame retardant decorations. Look for this information on the label.
  
• Keep potentially poisonous plants away from children. Examples include mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis.
• Be careful when using a ladder. Make sure to have good, stable placement, and wear shoes that allow for good traction. Avoid standing on unstable furniture.
• Keep flammable decorations at least three feet away from candles and heat sources. Heat sources include fireplaces and space heaters.
• Place outdoor decorations at least ten feet from power lines. Make sure they're well-ventilated and protected from weather.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors. Make sure all exit routes are clear of obstructions.
• Keep breakable ornaments away from children. Avoid placing such ornaments on lower tree branches.
• If buying an artificial tree, look for the fire-resistant label. If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and keep it watered. Learn more about Christmas tree safety.
• If you have children, use safety caps on all electrical outlets. This will help prevent accidental electrical shocks.
• Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a month. Tell your guests about your home fire escape plan.

Holiday Lighting Safety Tips

• Only use lights that have been tested for safety. Look for a label from an independent testing laboratory.
• Inspect new and old lights before use. Check for broken or cracked sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged lights.
• Use no more than three sets of lights per single extension cord. Use only one extension cord per outlet.
• Turn off all holiday lights before going to bed or leaving the home. 
• Be careful where you place electrical cords. Don’t run electrical cords under rugs; walking traffic can weaken the insulation and the wires can overheat. Be careful when placing cords behind or beneath furniture; pinched cords can fray and short. For more information, visit our Electrical Safety in the Home webpage.
• Plug all outdoor lights and decorations into GFCIs. This will help reduce the risk of electric shock. Portable GFCIs for outdoor use can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold.
• Secure lights, decorations and cords to prevent wind damage. Use clips, not nails or staples, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Unplug lights before installing or replacing bulbs.

Candle Safety

• Opt for battery-operated candles in place of traditional candles. They're safe and some electric candles even flicker to give the appearance of real candles.
  
• If you do use a candle, use a sturdy candle holder. Place the candle holder on a sturdy, uncluttered surface away from flammable objects.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles. Avoid placing candles in areas where they might be easily knocked over.
  
• Keep lit candles at least one foot away from flammable objects. Place them away from flammable or combustible materials, including decorations, fabrics, plastics and paper products.
• Extinguish all candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Never leave a lit candle unattended, even if it's for a little while.
  
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down. Put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet. Teach children that matches and lighters are not toys.