Home Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

Matt Weber
3 days ago
2 min read

Christmas trees, holiday lights, space heaters and hearths... Many traditional staples of the season can also bring increased risks if electrical safety is overlooked. The American Red Cross reports an average of 40 home fires occur per day in December, many caused by decorations placed too close to heat sources, children playing near decorations, or other electrical issues that are characteristic of the holidays.

Whether you're stringing lights on the tree or hanging garland, it’s important to stay mindful of the electrical hazards. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that, from 2018 to 2022, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 835 home fires annually that began with decorations. In fact, December is the leading month for home fires.

Electrical Safety Tips for the Chilly Season

Here are some simple ways for homeowners to reduce the risk of fires, injuries and property damage during the holidays.

Make sure your home is protected with arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), devices designed to detect and stop dangerous arcing before an electrical fire can start
Inspect decorations for damage before use. Look for loose connections and exposed wires. Repair or replace any damaged electrical components.
Never connect multiple extension cords to each other. connecting multiple extension cords has limitations and potential risks, including electrical overload, voltage drop, inadequate gauge, etc.
Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source. Keep decorations far away from heat sources too. Store anything combustible away from a space heater.
Turn lights and decorations off when not in use, and unplug them when unattended
Don't place cords in walkways because they pose tripping hazards. Don't rout cords beneath furniture for the same reason, and pinch points beneath furniture legs can damage the wiring.
Avoid overloading circuits. Distribute appliances across different circuits, use high-wattage devices one at a time, and avoid using extension cords and multiple appliances on a single outlet.

“While small actions can go a long way in preventing home fires, the most effective protection comes from installing AFCIs, which identify and stop dangerous arc faults at their source," says Ashley Bryant Kees, chair of the NEMA LVDE AFCI Task Force.

For more information, visit www.afcisafety.org.