The holiday season is upon us, and it’s a great time for parties with family, friends and coworkers. As the song goes, it’s time to “deck those halls and trim those trees.” But, you don’t have to be Clark Griswald and overdo your holiday decorations, which can not only be a little tacky, but it can also lead to an unsafe environment in your home or office.
Seasonal decorations, including snowmen, lights, trees and snowflakes can help put your home or office in the holiday spirit. However, when not displayed properly, decorations can create safety hazards or cause fires.
Holiday Safety: Lights, Trees and More
By taking the proper precautions both inside and outside of your home or business, you can prevent hazards and focus on friends and family during the holidays. Keep your employees and your family safe during the holiday season by following these holiday decoration safety tips:
- Choose holiday decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant
- Hang ceiling decorations away from sprinklers and fire alarms
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn such as furniture or curtains
- Never leave a candle flame unattended
- Refrain from placing extension cords in high-traffic areas of your workplace, or under rugs, carpets or furniture
- Use the right ladder when hanging lights and other decorations
- Check the ladder to make sure it is not broken or in a deteriorated condition as both of these factors can exacerbate the already dangerous activity of working at heights
Holiday Light Safety Tips
- Check your holiday lights if they are for outdoor or indoor use and use them appropriately
- Utilize lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections
- Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged
- Plug outside lighting into GFCI outlets to help prevent electric shock or electrocution
- Always turn off holiday lights before leaving the office or home and before going to bed
Holiday Entertaining Safety Tips
The holidays are also a time for entertaining in the office and at home. Below are additional tips to have a safe holiday event at your home or office:
- Keep children, pets and flammable materials away from lit candles
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking to keep a close eye on the process and the food
- Move items that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, or towels away from the cooking area
- Make sure kids stay at least three feet away from the stove and oven, hot food and liquids
- Set up a deep turkey deep-fryer on a flat, level surface at least 10 feet from your home or office building
A Commitment to Loss Control and Commercial Property Protection at AmTrust
Safely decorating your home or business during the holiday season requires a bit of extra time, but it is well worth the effort. Having the right safety resources and
commercial property protection are keys to a successful holiday season. AmTrust’s
Loss Control Department can give you the individual attention you deserve, identifying specific hazards and offering solutions that fit your operation. We are dedicated to providing the right recommendations and resources necessary to create the most effective loss prevention program for your store’s specific needs. Please
contact us to learn more.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not legal or business advice. Neither AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates represents or warrants that the information contained herein is appropriate or suitable for any specific business or legal purpose. Readers seeking resolution of specific questions should consult their business and/or legal advisors.Coverages may vary by location. Contact your local RSM for more information.