The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and festive decorations—but it also brings an increase in home fire risks. Dry Christmas trees, overloaded light strands, and unattended candles cause hundreds of house fires every year. To help keep you, your family, and your home safe, the Brookhaven Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following safety tips.
Holiday Decorations
- Use only nonflammable or flame-retardant decorations.
- Keep all decorations away from heat sources.
- Ensure your tree and other decor do not block exits.
- Never burn wrapping paper in the fireplace — it can ignite dangerously and cause chimney fires.
Holiday Lights
- Inspect lights each year for frayed wires, damaged insulation, cracked sockets, or excessive wear.
- Do not connect more than three strands unless the manufacturer states it is safe.
- Periodically check wires—they should never feel warm.
- Turn off all holiday lights when they are unattended.
Candle Care
- Never leave burning candles unattended; consider battery-operated alternatives.
- Do not place lit candles on a tree; always use a stable holder.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from flammable materials.
- Keep candles out of reach of children and away from areas where they can be knocked over.
Christmas Tree Safety
Choosing a Tree
- Artificial trees are a safer option—look for fire-resistant labels.
- If choosing a real tree, ensure it is fresh:
- A fresh tree is green.
- Needles are hard to pull off and do not break when bent.
- The trunk feels sticky with resin.
- If bouncing the trunk causes many needles to fall, the tree is too dry.
Setting Up Your Tree
- Place the tree away from fireplaces, radiators, and heat sources.
- Heated rooms dry out trees quickly—monitor moisture levels.
- Use a thin guy-wire (cable) to secure large trees.
- Keep the tree in a sturdy, water-filled stand.
- Refill water daily to prevent drying.
Winter Safety Tips
- Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet.
- Never use power strips or extension cords with space heaters—they can overheat and start a fire.
- Plug only one appliance per outlet.
- Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from anything combustible.
- Turn off all appliances when leaving the room, going to bed, or leaving the house.