Holiday Lighting - Fire Prevention Tips

Holiday lighting is a fundamental part of the Christmas season in Oklahoma. During what could be a dreary winter, holiday lights bring a warmth to the season. They can create a stunning wonderland for your home or business. These beautiful decorations, though, can create a serious fire safety hazard if not installed and used properly.

In 2007-2011, holiday lighting and decorative lights with line voltage were involved in an average 150 home structure fires per year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported. “These fires caused an average of nine civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $8.4 million in direct property damage property damage per year,” the NFPA said. “Electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in nearly two-thirds (64%) of the fires involving holiday or decorative lights.”

What precautions can you take to keep your holiday lights from causing a home or business fire?
Notice these holiday lighting safety tips from the NFPA and the National Safety Council:

1. Check for any broken or cracked sockets, loose bulb connections, and frayed or bare wires before you hang your lights, and do not use lights with damaged parts.
2. Only use lights that has been tested by an independent testing and rating laboratory such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL Label).
3. Unplug lights before replacing fuses and bulbs.
4. Use clips to hang lighting instead of using tacks, nails, or staples so that the wires do not get damaged.
5. Different holiday lights are designed for a particular environment – either indoors or outdoors. Use the correct type of holiday lighting for the designated environment, following the manufacture’s guidelines.
6. Do not overload extension cords.
7. A maximum of three strands of miniature light sets and 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs should be connected. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting LED strands.
8. Be careful not to close windows or doors on extension cords.
9. Turn off all lighting and decorations before going to bed or before leaving your home or business. 
10. Check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for recalled holiday lights sets that could pose a greater fire or shock hazard.
11. Electric lights should not be used on metal Christmas trees.
12. Holiday lighting is only designed to be used temporarily, up to 90 days, so take down and store all lighting after the holidays.
13. Be sure your ladder is on level ground when hanging outdoor lighting. Never stand on the top three rungs of the ladder. When laying against a roof, the ladder should reach at least three feet above the edge of the roof. Use a wooden or fiberglass ladder.
14. Avoid hanging lights near combustible materials and do not hang or cover lighting with combustible materials like cloth or paper.
15. Do not run extension cords through water.
16. Do not use lit candles to decorate a tree. Keep any candles far away from tree branches.
17. Put a candle out before it burns down too close to the holder or container. Do not burn candles all the way down.
18. Candles should be kept at least 12 inches away from anything that could burn.
19. Place candles on an uncluttered, sturdy surface.
20. Blow out candles before you leave the room or go to bed.
21. Make sure your Oklahoma fire detection systems, like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

For more information on holiday lighting and winter fire safety, visit the NFPA at www.nfpa.org. Please keep in mind these holiday lighting safety tips to help keep your family, your home, and your business safe this year.