What are some holiday lighting safety tips for tenants?
To help prevent fire and safety hazards when decorating indoors for the holidays, pay close attention to lighting decorations and particularly to open flame candles.
- Do not place trees, live or artificial, next to a heat source such as heat ducts, radiators, or a fireplace. Avoid placing trees in high-traffic areas or near doorways so as not to restrict or block access to or from the area.
- Interior lighting strings should be checked for damage, such as cracks, damaged sockets, bare or loose wires, and missing bulbs before placing lights on a tree or used in a decoration.
- Use lights that have been inspected for potential safety hazards and certified safe by an approved source such as Underwriters Laboratory.
- Consider using energy efficient LED lights rather than incandescent lights.
- Don’t overload electrical circuits with multiple devices such as holiday decorations and space heaters. Do not exceed the maximum number of light strings that can be linked together, as noted on the packaging instructions.
- Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet that will shut down if there is overcurrent.
- Prevent tripping by placing cords and decorations in low-traffic areas where they won’t be walked on. Avoid twisting, kinking or crushing cords.
- Use a timer or turn off lights before going to bed or if residents are away from home. Unattended lights could short out and start a fire.
- Indoor lights should not touch drapes, furniture or carpeting.
- The use of open flame candles should be discouraged (or prohibited) to avoid fire hazards. If lighted candles are used, place them away from flammable or combustible materials, including other decorations, fabrics, plastic or paper products. Never leave a lit candle unattended. Make sure to extinguish candle flames when leaving the room and before going to bed.
- As the best alternative to traditional candles, use battery-operated candles.