By: Jean P. Etcheverry | Fire Chief, Alva Fire Protection & Rescue Service District
Happy Holidays, everyone! Christmas is just around the corner, and we would like to share some safety tips for decorating your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 835 residential structure fires are caused by holiday decorations, and another 210 are caused by Christmas trees every year. Following these tips can help ensure your home is safely decorated during the holidays.
First, when choosing extension cords and electric decorations, make sure they are used in the proper setting. For example, extension cords are marked for outdoor use or indoor use, as are electric decorations.
Second, plug outdoor decorations and extension cords into GFCIs (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters) protected circuits. All outdoor receptacles should have a form of GFCI breaker protection.
Third, inspect extension cords, decorations, and lights for damage (e.g., worn, frayed, pinched wires, etc.) before use. If electric decorations or light strands are damaged, please discard them properly.
Fourth, be sure to keep your distance from power lines when decorating; a minimum distance for all equipment should be at least 10 feet from the power lines.
Fifth, avoid plugging too many decorations or electrical devices into one outlet. Another holiday hazard is too many electrical devices or decorations plugged into one electrical outlet, which can cause the outlet to overheat and cause a fire. It is a best practice to turn off holiday lights when leaving home or before bed. Finally, make sure to check the water level of your Christmas tree daily. A dry Christmas tree can ignite more easily and burn extremely hot because as it dries out, it becomes more flammable.
Being proactive can help you give a gift of safety to family, friends, and neighbors.
