As we head into the holiday season, fire officials remind residents to take time to take precautions to ensure the only thing making spirits bright is the glow of Christmas lights and not a potential fire hazard.
“Make sure that if you’re going to put something outside that it’s rated for outside decorations, for the weather and things like that,” said Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane. “Make sure your cords are in good condition. If it’s something you’ve been using for a couple years, make sure your extension cords are in good shape, that they’re rated for outdoor use, and make sure that all the cord’s connections are in good shape.”
As you hang up Christmas lights, unlike Clark Griswold don’t use staples to hang up the lights, and be safe on the ladder.
Don’t forget to also check the conditions of cords before plugging in your indoor decorations, and keep cords uncovered and out of regular walking paths. If you plan to have a live tree, plan accordingly
“If you’re using a live tree, make sure you water it well,” Crane said. “Check the needles daily and water it daily. It could use a quart of water a day, depending on the size of the tree. Check the needles. If you brush your hand against the branches and you have a handful of needles, your tree is getting dry, so make sure you’re checking those.”
The U.S. Fire Administration has more holiday safety tips available on its website.
