As the holiday season approaches, many people are transforming their homes with seasonal sparkle and yuletide joy. While these decorations are merry and bright, ReadyWisconsin is encouraging everyone to keep safety in mind while decorating for the holidays.

Holiday lights and candles can brighten homes, but that glow can quickly turn into a disaster. Fire departments across the country responded to an average of 835 home fires that began with decorations and an average of 155 fires started with holiday trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Keep holiday decorating safe with these helpful tips:

Water your live holiday tree regularly and look for the “Fire Resistant” label when buying an artificial tree. Place trees at least three feet away from heat sources, such as a heater or fireplace.

Never leave candles unattended. Keep burning candles in sight, away from anything flammable. Extinguish candles before leaving the room. Use flameless candles whenever possible.

Never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights and never overload electrical outlets. 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. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for using lights, including indoor and outdoor usage. Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.

Be sure to turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when going to bed or leaving the house. Unplug extension cords when they are not in use.

Unexpected injuries could also occur while decking your home with some holiday magic. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are about 160 holiday decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with nearly half of the injuries involving falls. In last year’s holiday season, about 14,900 people were treated in emergency rooms across the country due to holiday decorating-related injuries. To prevent holiday decorating injuries:

Choose a sturdy ladder, with the correct height and weight limit.

Wear shoes that allow for good traction.

Do not stand on chairs or tables when decorating.

Clear pathways of trip hazards, such as clutter, power cords and extra furniture.

And, fix uneven walkways and steps inside and outside the home to help prevent falls.

The holidays also mean gatherings with families and friends. If you’re hosting a holiday party, stay fire safe by keeping the kitchen free of distraction, clear decorations away from around the stove and oven, and always have a fire extinguisher available nearby.

Test your smoke alarms to make sure they are working properly and replace any batteries if you have not done so recently. Smoke alarms should be located on every level of your home and be tested monthly. Create an escape plan with your family and practice it so everyone knows two ways to get out of the house in the event of a fire.

For additional holiday safety tips this season, visit readywisconsin.wi.gov.

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