Trees

Many artificial trees are fire resistant. If you 

buy one, look for a statement specifying this 

protection.

A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a 

fire hazard than a dry tree. To check for freshness, 

remember:

A fresh tree is green.

Fresh needles are hard to pull from 

branches.

When bent between your fingers, fresh 

needles do not break.

The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with 

resin.

When the trunk of a tree is bounced on the 

ground, a shower of falling needles shows 

that tree is too dry.

Place tree away from fireplaces, radiators and 

other heat sources. Heated rooms dry trees out 

rapidly, creating fire hazards.

Cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose 

fresh wood for better water absorption. Trim away 

branches as necessary to set tree trunk in the base 

of a sturdy, water-holding stand with wide spread 

feet. Keep the stand filled with water while the 

tree is indoors.

Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not 

block doorways. Use thin guy-wires to secure 

a large tree to walls or ceiling. These wires are 

almost invisible.

•

•

•

•

•

“Snow”

Artificial snow sprays can irritate lungs if inhaled. 

To avoid injury, read container labels; follow 

directions carefully.

Lights

Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been 

tested for safety. Identify these by the label from 

an independent testing laboratory.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken 

or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose 

connections. Discard damaged sets or repair them 

before using.

Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house, 

walls or other firm support to protect from wind 

damage.

Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights 

per single extension cord.

Turn off all lights on trees and other decorations 

when you go to bed or leave the house. Lights 

could short and start a fire.

Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.

The tree can become charged with electricity from 

faulty lights, and any person touching a branch 

could be electrocuted! To avoid this danger, use 

colored spotlights above or beside a tree, never 

fastened onto it!

Keep “bubbling” lights away from children. 

These lights with their bright colors and bubbling 

movement can tempt curious children to break 

candle-shaped glass, which can cut, and attempt 

to drink liquid, which contains a hazardous 

chemical.

CPSC-611

Holiday 

Decoration 

Safety 

Tips

A publication of the U.S. Consumer 

Product Safety Commission
Candles

Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other 

evergreens.

Always use non-flammable holders.

Keep candles away from other decorations and 

wrapping paper.

Place candles where they cannot be knocked 

down or blown over.

Trimmings

Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant 

materials.

Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass 

“angel hair” to avoid irritation to eyes and skin.

Choose tinsel or artificial icicles or plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if 

ingested by children.

In homes with small children, take special care to:

Avoid decorations that are sharp or 

breakable.

Keep trimmings with small removable parts 

out of the reach of children. Pieces could be 

swallowed or inhaled.

Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or 

food. A child could eat them!

Fires

Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, 

boughs, papers, and other decorations from 

fireplace area. Check to see that flue is open.

Keep a screen before the fireplace all the time a 

fire is burning.

•

•

•

Use care with “fire salts” which produce colored 

flames when thrown on wood fires. They 

contain heavy metals which can cause intense 

gastrointestinal irritation or vomiting if eaten. 

Keep away from children.

Paper

When making paper decorations, look for 

materials labeled non-combustible or flameresistant.

Never place trimming near open flames 

or electrical connections.

Remove all wrapping papers 

from tree and fireplace areas 

immediately after presents are 

opened. 

Do not burn papers in 

the fireplace. A flash fire 

may result as wrappings 

ignite suddenly and 

burn intensely. 

General Rules for 

Holiday Safety

Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of 

the reach of children.

Avoid smoking near flammable decorations.

Make an emergency plan to use if a fire 

breaks out anywhere in the home. See that 

each family member knows what to do. 

PRACTICE THE PLAN!

Avoid wearing loose flowing clothes—

particularly long, open sleeves—near open 

flames - such as those of a fireplace, stove, or 

candlelit table.

Never burn candles near evergreens. 

Burning evergreens in the fireplace can 

also be hazardous. When dry, greens 

burn like tinder. Flames can flare out of 

control, and send sparks flying into a 

room, or up the chimney to ignite 

creosote deposits.

Plan for safety. Remember, there 

is no substitute for common 

sense. Look for and eliminate 

potential danger spots 

near candles, fireplaces, 

trees, and/or electrical 

connections. 

•

•

•

•

•

•