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Holiday decorating safety tips

Posted at 4:34 PM, Nov 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-27 16:34:03-05

The holiday season has arrived and many people are starting to decorate their homes.

Decorating your home is a great way to kick off the holidays, but be sure to stay safe while you decorate!

Here are a few tips from the Portsmouth Police Department:

  • If you purchase an artificial tree, always look for the label “Fire Resistant”.
  • Using a live tree? Keep it from drying out by ensuring the stand is filled with water.
  • Never set up a Christmas tree close to a fireplace, radiator, and portable heater.
  • Check all tree lights for broken sockets, blown fuses, loose connections, etc. before hanging them on your tree.
  • Be sure all lights that you use outdoors are certified for outdoor use.
  • Use insulated staples or hooks to hold lights in place. Never use nails or tacks.
  • Never pull or tug on lights to remove them from your home.
  • Turn off all decorative lights before going to bed or leaving your home.
  • Never use lighted candles on a tree or near evergreens. This can cause a fire.
  • Do not use decorations that are sharp, breakable, have removable parts or look like food/candy if you have small children or pets in your home.
  • Remove wrapping papers, bags, ribbon and bows from around your tree and fireplace after gifts are opened as they can start a fire if exposed to an open flame.