Insurance Commissioner Offers Holiday Decoration Safety Tips

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King urging Georgians to exercise caution with Christmas decorations.

If not handled appropriately, Christmas trees and other holiday decorations can become fire safety hazards.

Data from the National Fire Prevention Association shows that between 2015 and 2019, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees every year.

Almost half of those fires were due to improper lighting equipment.

U.S. fire departments also responded to an average of 790 home fires that began with Christmas decorations other than trees.

Those fires caused an annual average of one death, 26 fire-related injuries, and $13 million in property damage.

In recognition of the risks, Commissioner King asks Georgians to follow the following tips for keeping their home and their decorations safe this holiday season.

If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure that your tree has fresh, green needles that do not fall off when they are touched.  Check the water in the tree stand daily and add more water if needed.

Dry trees can become completely engulfed in flames in less than one minute. Keep your tree at least three feet from any heat source, including fireplaces, radiators, candles, or heat vents.

One in five tree fires could be traced to a heat source that was too close to the tree.

Check your boxes of Christmas lights to see if they have the label of a recognized testing laboratory and to verify whether they are indoor or outdoor lights.

Inspect all lights, decorations, and extension cords for cracks, damaged sockets, and loose or bare wires.

Turn off all decorations when you go to bed and when you leave the house.

And, keep lit candles away from Christmas trees, decorations, and other items that can burn.  Also, keep children and pets away from lit candles.