Deck the Halls Safely This Holiday Season

Prioritize safety this holiday season when decorating to prevent fires and injuries.

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INDIANAPOLIS - December is more than a festive month for many families — it’s peak season for home fires caused by holiday decorations and candles. Indiana Electric Cooperatives reminds you that overloaded circuits and sparks can be significant safety issues this time of year.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 835 home structure fires each year that started with decorations other than Christmas trees. These fires cause an annual average of three civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries, and around $14 million in direct property damage. Further, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in five home Christmas tree fires.

Here are some things to remember when decorating your home for the holidays:

• Choose decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
• Make sure you use indoor and outdoor lights for their intended purposes.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If you use a real tree, select one with fresh, green needles that don’t fall off when touched.
• Keep the tree at least 3 feet away from any heat sources and out of the way of exits.
• Add water to the tree every day.
• Don’t use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Look for a fire-resistant label on artificial trees.