By Zain Ahmad

Holiday season is not complete without decorations like lights and candles, but these also increases fire risks. December is the peak time for home fires involving candles and holiday decorations. To ensure that our festive occasions stay joyful and safe, here are a few tips and precautions from the Red Cross while decorating your homes.

Holiday Decorations and Lights

• Some lights may be for indoor or outdoor purposes but not for both, so please use them as instructed.
• Check each set of lights for broken bulbs, cracked sockets or frayed wires. Any damaged sets of lights should be thrown away or repaired before using them again.
• Multiple set of lights can be used, but don’t use more than 3 standard size sets of lights per single extension cord.
• Turn off all indoor lights when you go to bed or leave the house.

Candles

• Never use lit candles on or near a tree.
• Use non-flammable holders for candles.
• If you are using a menorah or a kinara, place it on a non-flammable surface to catch any wax. For example, aluminum foil works.
• Make sure to place candles on a flat surface where they cannot be knocked down.
• Keep candles at least 3 feets away from the curtains, decorations and rugs
• Keep matches, lighters and candles out of the reach of the children.
• Consider using battery operated candles instead of traditional ones.

Christmas Trees

Whether the Christmas trees are fake or realt, they can cause fires.

• Water the real Christmas trees regularly, as dry needles can catch the fire easily.
• Be sure to keep trees away from anything flammable.

Fireplaces

During the cold nights and days of winter, nothing is better than having the light and heat of the fire in your hearth.

• Be sure to always keep a fire extinguisher near your fire.
• Make sure that the fire and the embers are fully extinguished before you leave the house or go to bed.
• Anything that is flammable should be kept 3 ft away from the flames. A screen should be kept before the fireplace whenever a fire is burning.

Visit the Red Cross website for more holiday safety tips.