Whether you have your tree up already or you’re more last minute with your Christmas decorations, there are some important safety tips to keep in mind…
- Fresh Christmas trees are much less likely to catch fire, so look for a tree with very green needles that don’t break easily from the branches. The tree shouldn’t be readily shedding its needles.
- Keep all your holiday candles away from your Christmas tree, nearby furniture and décor.
- Always place your tree at least three feet away from any heat sources – such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights, as well as furniture.
- Keep the tree-base filled with water to avoid the tree drying out, by watering it every day.
- Ensure all your indoor and outdoor Christmas lights have been tested in a lab by the UL for safety and correctly dispose of any damaged lights.
- Any lights you use outdoors must be labelled as such and be sure to plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter protected receptacle. Indoor lights cannot withstand the elements.
- Ensure all outdoor light connectors are away from metal rain gutters and stay off the ground. They should have no loose connections, cracked lamps or frayed cords.
- Use only a single extension cord that can reach your home’s outlet without being tangled.
- At bedtime – all your Christmas tree and decorative lights must be turned off.