Holidays can be busy and joyous times, but holiday decorations and new toys can bring risks along with festive cheer. Below are some safety tips to help your holiday season be safe.

1. Keep live trees away from heat sources.

Place your tree away from fireplaces and heaters, and keep a fire extinguisher near your tree. Live trees are highly flammable, due to needles and sap.

2. Hydrate your tree.

A dried-out tree can catch fire faster than one that has been properly watered. Check the water level every other day to ensure proper hydration. Starting with a green tree is one way to keep it from drying out so quickly. You can also switch to an artificial tree that are flame retardant.

3. Don’t burn wrapping paper in the fireplace.

Paper can catch fire very quickly and can cause chimney fires. Instead, recycle (or better yet, reuse!) your wrapping paper.

4. Work as a team.

When stringing lights and decorations above your normal reach, make sure you use a proper ladder with someone supporting the base.

5. Double-check your lights for safety.

Replace any lights with frayed wires, broken sockets, and loose connections.

6. Power down before you turn in.

Turn off all lights when you go to bed and before leaving the house to avoid a short that could start an electrical fire.

7. Prevent electrical cord damage.

Don’t mount lights in a way that might damage the cords, and avoid using nails or tacks. Use hooks or insulated staples instead.

8. Secure candles.

Keep candles on a sturdy base to prevent tipping. Never leave a lit candle unattended. Use battery powered candles if possible.

9. Use unbreakable ornaments.

If you have fragile ornament, place them out of reach from pets and kids.

10. Skip the fake food.

Avoid decorations that look like candy or food if you have young children — or pets — in the house.

Happy holidays from Comox Fire Rescue!

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips