Keep Holiday Decorating Safety in Mind this Holiday Season

For Immediate Release: November 30, 2007
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661

MADISON - The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is partnering with The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to remind consumers about the importance of safe holiday decorating practices, Commerce Secretary Jack L. Fischer, AIA, announced today.

"With more than 32 million homes decorating with live Christmas trees, as well as with candles and lights, safety should be at the top of everyone's lists," said Secretary Fischer. "Let's all follow safe practices so that we can enjoy a joyous holiday."

Keeping fresh Christmas trees well-watered is not only vital to the tree's decorative longevity, but also to keeping consumers safe this holiday season. If ignited, a dry tree can become engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds, as opposed to a well-watered tree. With so many people decorating trees for the holidays, this safety detail is more important than ever.

On average, real and artificial Christmas trees are the first items ignited in an estimated 210 home fires annually, according to the most recent NFPA statistics. While this represents a small portion of the estimated 85 million households that display a tree, consumers must commit to taking care of fresh trees and keeping flame sources away from plastic trees. Live trees should not be displayed for longer than four weeks.

NFPA also urged caution on the use of candles. Candles should be placed away from items that can burn and also out of the reach of children and pets.

Commerce, UL and the NFPA urge people to practice a few safety precautions before, during and after their celebrations.

• Regularly check your tree for fresh, green needles. Trees that have dried out over several weeks burn faster than fresh, well-watered trees. Remember to keep your tree watered at all times.
• Always keep candles, as well as matches and lighters, out of the reach of children, and don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles.
• Look for the holographic UL Mark on light strings and electrical decorations. The UL Mark means that UL engineers have tested samples of the product for safety hazards.
• Green holographic UL Mark = Indoor-only use
• Red holographic UL Mark = Indoor and outdoor use
• Carefully inspect each electrical decoration - new or old - before plugging it in. Cracked sockets, frayed, bare or loose wires can cause a serious electric shock or start a fire. Replace damaged items with new, UL-Listed decorations.
• Take down holiday lights after 90 days of use to prevent damage from weather conditions and neighborhood animals.

For more tips about safe holiday decorating, visit www.nfpa.org.

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