Holiday Decorations can be Fire Hazards

As you decorate your home this year for the holidays make sure you check them to ensure they are working properly. Oconee County Fire Marshall and Assistant Fire Chief Shane Gibbs says holiday decorations can be fire hazards. “Any time that you are using electrical components inside or outside the house for decorations you need to make sure that you are using the proper ones. Christmas lights are usually labeled for indoor or outdoor use and inside the box is a sheet of instructions. The main thing to look for is make sure the lights are rated for indoor or outdoor use. You don’t want to use indoor lights outdoors because they are not designed to withstand the moisture and the environment of the outdoors. Make sure everything that you purchase has the UL listed stamp, which means those lights are approved for that type of use. Christmas Trees are always a big topic and something on our radar throughout the year, especially during the holidays. If you’re using a live Christmas Tree make sure that you keep it watered. Any time you see needles falling off the tree that is the sign that the tree needs water. You definitely don’t want the tree to become dry because at that point it does become a fire hazard inside your home.” Chief Gibbs also encourages parents to teach their children about fire dangers and plan an escape route with your family to ensure if there is a fire that everyone knows what to do and where to go to be safe.