Holiday Lighting

• Only use UL (Underwriter Laboratories) approved low-heat lights.
  
  
• Always use outdoor lights outside and indoor lights inside.
  
  
• Never use light sets with broken sockets, frayed wires, or missing sockets. Any one of these problems may cause an electrical shock or a fire.
  
  
• Prior to using a light set, place it on a nonflammable surface and plug it in for 10-15 minutes to check for smoking or melting.
  
  
• Lights should only be used on fresh or fire-retardant plastic trees. Never use electric lights on a metal tree as the tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights and a person touching the tree could be electrocuted.
  
  
• Fasten outdoor lights securely to exterior walls, trees, or other firm supports to protect them from wind damage. Do not use nails or tacks to hold light strings in place. Instead, use plastic light string holders or run your light strings through hooks.
  
  
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave your home. Lights can short out and start a fire.
  
  

Candles

Candles are a popular item during the holiday season. Unfortunately, they are often the cause of home fires. Be safe this season by following these tips:

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
  
  
• Keep candles away from combustibles such as clothing, curtains, decorations, holiday trees or paper.
  
  
• Use candle holders that won't tip over easily, can catch dripping wax, and are made of materials that won't burn.
  
  
• Place candle holders on sturdy, uncluttered surfaces where they cannot be knocked over by children or pets.
  
  
• Extinguish all taper and pillar candles when they reach within two inches of the holder or decoration. Votive candles should be extinguished before the last one-quarter inch of wax begins to melt.
  
  

Fresh Tree Care

Keeping your tree healthy and green will help keep your holiday safe!

• Before placing your tree in a sturdy stand, make a fresh cut at least one inch from the original cut even if the original cut was made the same day, this will help your tree absorb water.
  
  
• After placing your tree in the stand, water it immediately, and add water daily or as needed. If the water level drops below the cut end of the trunk, a seal will form preventing further water absorption.
  
  
• A dry tree is extremely combustible and can ignite a room in seconds! To test your tree for dryness, grab a branch and run your hand down it, if the needles fall off, the tree is too dry and should be taken down and disposed of properly.
  
  
• Never burn a tree in your fireplace. The combination of dry branches, pitch, and tree oils can ignite within seconds, sending sparks and flames into the room.
  
  

Artificial Trees

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "fire resistant." This does not guarantee the tree won't catch fire, but it does indicate that the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.