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Celebrating Safely for the Holidays
By The City and County of Broomfield
Decorating homes and businesses is a longstanding tradition around the holiday season. It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but if you’re not careful, holiday decorations can increase your risk of a home fire. As you deck the halls this season, be fire smart.
Lights and Candles
Almost half of the home decoration fires in December are started by candles. Christmas Day is the peak day for candle fires.
Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
If you do use lit candles, keep them at least 12 inches away from anything that burns. Make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily.
Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires. Read the manufacturer’s instructions on light strands for the recommended (maximum) number of light strands to connect together.
Holiday Trees
If you choose to have a live tree in your home, water your tree every day. A dry tree is dangerous because it can catch on fire easily.
Natural trees should be cut at a 45 degree angle at the base and placed in water.
Place the tree at least three feet away from heat sources. Use only non-flammable decorations on the tree.
Use only lighting evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Inspect lights for frayed wire or other defects before putting them on your tree. Do not leave lights on unattended.
Keep natural tree stands filled with water at all times. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.
Visit the City and County of Broomfield’s Emergency Preparedness website, a Broomfield community resource that guides preparation and response to potential hazards and threats, at Broomfield.org/Emergency.