7 Holiday Decorating Safety Tips | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

The holidays are a time for family, friends, food, decorations, and presents. Decorating for the holidays can be fun, but potential dangers lurk, especially if your decorating ideas involve or include electricity. Hospital rooms treat 12,500 people for injuries related to Christmas lights, and candles start about 11,600 fires every year. To that end, consider reflecting on and sharing the following 7 tips to prevent holiday injuries:

•  Use the right lights. Some lights are designed for indoor use only, and some are designed for only outdoor use. Pay attention to labels to avoid starting a fire or shorting out a circuit. Only buy lights that have been tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
• Turn off the lights before bed. If you leave your Christmas tree lights or outdoor lights on all night, you risk burning out the bulbs and starting a fire while everyone is asleep.
• Check the lights and circuits. Faulty lights or overloaded circuits can lead to serious fire and electrical hazards. If lights don’t work completely, don’t use them at all.
• Keep candles away from the tree. During the holidays, you have a much higher proportion of flammable plant material in the home than at any other time of year. Place candles and open flames far away from the Christmas tree and all greenery to prevent a fire hazard.
• Avoid dangerous ornaments. If you have small children, don’t hang fragile ornaments or decorations within their reach. 
• Use a fresh tree. If you want a live tree in the home, make sure it is fresh and well-watered to prevent it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
• Protect the fireplace. Always put a screen around the fireplace to keep the fire contained and prevent children or pets from getting too close to the flames.

If someone you know suffered an injury or burn during the holiday season, contact our experienced Washington D.C. burn injury law firm for a free consultation.

As you prepare for the holidays, remember that safety extends far beyond preventing holiday injuries while decorating the home. Read and bookmark this article: Reminders: Holiday Safety