While decorating helps add to the beauty of the holidays, it also brings an increased risk of fire hazards. Apartment communities and their residents can benefit from the following decorating tips provided by Preferred Insurance. We hope they help you celebrate the holiday season safely.
Christmas Tree Safety
Keep a fresh-cut tree outdoors and cover the trunk in snow, or immerse it in a bucket of water until you are ready to decorate it.
When you are ready to put up a live tree, cut a 1- or 2- inch diagonal off the bottom of the trunk. The new cut will help the tree to absorb water, which preserves its freshness.
Select a spot for the tree that is at least three feet from a heat source.
Put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand with widespread legs, and keep the stand filled with water.
Once a tree is dried out, dont keep it in your home or garage, as it is highly flammable.
Holiday Lighting Safety
Mixing and matching lights can create a fire hazard, so keep outside lights outdoors and inside lights indoors.
Always buy lights and electrical decorations bearing the name of an independent testing lab, such as UL, and follow the manufacturers instructions for installation and maintenance.
Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings before using them. Throw away any that appear damaged.
When hanging lights, string the lights together, using built-in connectors. Dont join more than 200 midget lights or 50 larger lamps through one string or cord.
Dont connect more than three sets of lights to one extension cord.
Remember to unplug all decorations and lights, both inside and outside your apartment home, before leaving or going to bed.
If a fuse is blown, unplug the lights from the outlet and immediately replace the blown fuse. If the replacement fuse blows again, a short circuit may be present. Throw the faulty light string or decoration away, or if its new, return it for a refund.
Candle Safety
Place candles in stable holders and in a spot where they cannot be easily disturbed.
Never use lit candles to decorate your Christmas tree.
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
Avoid placing candles near flammable objects.
Keep burning candles out of the reach of children.