Decorations Can Lead To Holiday Hazards

Christmas lights get tangled, fuses blow, and there never seem to be quite enough outlets for the perfect display of festive flashiness. Yes, the ins and outs of bright lights and decorations can add confusion to an otherwise pleasant day of holiday decorating.

Thanksgiving weekend is the most popular time for holiday decorating, according to Sheila Cooper, owner of the Christmas Cottage in Casper. And getting decorations set up early --and set up right --can avoid the holiday hazard of fire.

The lure of lights For many people, bigger and brighter is better. Chastidy Raines is one of those decorators. She spent her lunch hour Friday shopping for new Christmas lights at Target.

She estimated her family already has about 10 boxes of lights at home, and she planned on buying more. They decorate inside and outside.

"Christmas is my favorite holiday, so I always like to outdo the neighbors," she laughed. Her husband, she said, sometimes worries she'll blow a fuse, but she said she always wants to add more.

That's not inherently a problem, according to Casper Fire Department Inspector Steve Gasowski. Rather, Raines and her fellow Casper decorators should concentrate on how and where they string their lights.

Most Christmas light strings have outlets on both ends, potentially allowing someone to connect string after string from Casper to Cheyenne.

But just because you can, doesn't mean you should, Gasowski said. "We tell people don't string more than three strings of lights together, don't ever go above three on those," he said.

And never "piggy back" power strips with multiple outlets, he said, meaning don't connect one power strip to another.

Gasowski suggests using a common theme for each power strip --one strip for decorations, one for a home entertainment center, one for a computer.

"If you use one for your Christmas tree, don't use the same one for your TV, your stereo, aquarium, microwave oven and refrigerator," he explained.

The fire department also warns people to check the entire length of the lights, not just the bulbs, for frays or breaks before stringing them up.

Finally, he said, turn those lights off when leaving the building. "I'm not talking half an hour or so, but if you go on vacation, make sure you keep them off," he said. Lighting up the outdoors Some lights are meant for indoors; others are meant for outdoors. Decorate accordingly. Using staples to connect the lights is not a good idea, Gasowski said, but if you have an itchy staple-finger, make sure you do not staple through the cord.

"Make sure you leave some space (between the staple and cord), because if you pinch any part of the cord, well, it's like a kink in a hose --but with electricity," he said.

The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also warns to never pull or tug on lights outdoors, as they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines.

In addition, outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold.

Candles One of the most common causes of house fires is still candles, according to Gasowski, who said just last week a bedroom candle led to a house fire in north Casper.

Never leave candles unattended, and never put them somewhere where pets --especially cats--could knock them over.

"Cats are curious creatures, and if they go past the candle, they could ignite," he warned. The huge candles that have become popular in recent years can pose risks, too, if people just place them on top of a countertop or table. "You always need to have something underneath them, even the really big ones," he said.

He suggested buying candle warmers, which are similar to coffee cup warmers, to reduce the risk of fire. People should be careful with fireplace fires, too --and never burn wrapping papers in the fireplace because wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely, and they could produce a flash fire.

So fresh and so green Christmas trees are involved in some 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths and 30 injuries, according to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. When buying a tree, look for a "fire resistant" label. This doesn't mean the tree won't ignite, but it will burn slower, according to Gasowski.

When purchasing an artificial tree, make sure it has the "UL" listing on the box, meaning it has been tested and is fire resistant. On the other hand, when buying a real tree, make sure it is fresh and green. Try shaking it or rubbing the palm of your hand on a branch --if a bunch of needles fall to the ground, choose another tree.

"We're not talking a few needles, but if the whole thing is shedding needles on the ground, it's too dry. It needs to go," Gasowski said.

The Consumer Safety Product Safety Commission also warns against using electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree could become charged with electricity through faulty lights, thereby electrocuting anyone who touches the branches.

And no tree is truly fireproof, so watch where you put the tree and avoid locations near radiators, heaters or fireplaces.

Gasowski also warned against placing trees or other decorations in hallways or doorways where they could block fire exits.

~ Courtesy of Casper Star Tribune, By Andrea Falkenhagen, November 26, 2004