The Tree
- Keep Christmas Trees Fresh; water regularly.
- Keep trees away from heat sources.
- Take Christmas trees down before January.
- Do not burn the trees in your fireplace.
- Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments, or ones with small detachable parts, on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.
- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant”.
- Only use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory.
- Never string together more lights than are recommended by the manufacturer.
- Make sure extension cords are rated for the intended use.
- Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
- Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
- If you use a timer for your outdoor lights, make sure it is rated for outside use.
- Outdoor lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)
- When putting up holiday decorations, always use the proper step stool or ladder to reach high places. Don’t stand on chairs, desks, or other furniture.
- A straight or extension ladder should be placed one foot away from the surface it rests against for every four feet of ladder height.
- Use ladders with slip-resistant feet.
- Never stand on top two steps.