Stay Safe While You Deck the Halls
- WFRD Public Education
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
The holiday season is a time for warmth, celebration, and gathering with family and friends — but it’s also one of the busiest times of year for home fires. Each year, fire departments across the country respond to fires caused by candles, electrical decorations, and heating equipment. With a few smart precautions, you can keep your celebrations safe and bright.
🌲 Christmas Tree Safety
Choose a fresh tree with green needles that don’t fall off easily. A dry tree can catch fire in seconds.
Water your tree daily. Keep the stand filled with water to prevent it from drying out.
Keep trees and decorations away from heat sources like fireplaces, space heaters, and floor vents.
When the holidays are over, dispose of your tree promptly — dried-out trees are a fire hazard even after you take the decorations down.
🌟 Holiday Light Safety
Inspect your lights before hanging them. Replace any string with frayed wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections.
Use lights approved by a recognized testing lab (such as UL or ETL) and rated for either indoor or outdoor use — not both.
Don’t overload outlets or power strips. Plugging too many decorations into one circuit can overheat wiring and cause a fire.
Turn off all lights and decorations before going to bed or leaving home. Consider using smart plugs or timers to help.
🕯️ Candle and Open Flame Safety
Use battery-operated candles whenever possible. Modern LED candles look realistic and are much safer.
If you do use real candles, keep them at least 12 inches from anything that can burn — like curtains, decorations, or furniture.
Never leave candles unattended or within reach of children or pets.
Always extinguish candles before you leave the room.
The Woodstock Fire Rescue District wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. Remember — safety doesn’t take a holiday!
If you have questions about fire and life safety in your home, contact us anytime for free guidance or resources.