Holiday Decoration Home Dangers

November 2007

The Consumer Product Safety Commission wants you to know something that may change the way you think about decorating for the holiday season – 10,000 people go to the emergency room every year with injuries due to holiday decorations. Whether picking out a Christmas tree or lighting your Menorah for Chanukah, the holiday season has many potential dangers that can be prevented by remembering that safety comes first at all times.

Candles are popular decorations for all holidays, but they are also the most deadly. There are 14,000 fires due to candles every year that lead to $350 million in property damage and close to 200 deaths. To prevent candle injuries, always keep them burning in sight. Never put candles near items that can catch fire, and always extinguish all candles before you leave the room or go to sleep.

Trees and lights are two other decorative items that can lead to injury, fire, and even death. Never buy an artificial tree without a label that reads “Fire Resistant,” and always check live trees for freshness. Lights should be tested and certified by laboratories such as UL or ETL/ITSNA. Check all strings of holiday lights for safety, and make sure that lights used outdoors are certified for outdoor use.