Guide · Safety and emergencies

Holiday Decorating Safety

A friendly, practical guide to decorating safely and kindly, from trees and lights to candles, outdoor displays and hanging things without harming the walls.

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Where to start

Something sparked or caught fire?
If it is not tiny and contained, get everyone out and call 911 from outside. See if something sparks or catches fire.
Putting up decorations?
Start with the festive and safe checklist.
Own the home?
See before the holidays.

The short version

Holidays are some of the happiest days at home, and a few careful habits keep the season bright and safe.

Water a live tree every day, keep it three feet from heat, and look over every light strand before hanging it.

Keep candles 12 inches from anything that can burn, use battery candles where you can, and turn lights off at bedtime.

Hang decorations with removable hooks or ask first, and keep hallways, stairs and doors clear.

Decorating rules differ from place to place and lease to lease, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.

Four simple rules

1
Water the tree every day
A dry tree can burn very hot and very fast. Daily water keeps a live tree fresh.
2
Check the lights first
Look over each strand for damage before hanging it, and follow the maker’s limit on connecting strands.
3
Candles need company
Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, and blow them out when you leave the room.
4
Lights off at bedtime
Turn off tree and decoration lights when you leave home or go to sleep.

Try it

Festive and safe habits

From the guide’s own habits. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

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Choose a fresh tree, cut a little off the base, and water it every day.
Keep the tree at least three feet from heat sources like heaters, fireplaces, vents and candles.
Use lights marked for indoor or outdoor use as intended, and look each strand over for damage.
Use battery operated candles where you can, especially around children, pets and decorations.
Hang decorations with removable hooks or ask before using nails or screws.
Keep exits, hallways and stairways clear of decorations and cords.
Turn off all decorative lights when you leave home or go to sleep.

If something sparks or catches fire

Take a breath. If a small decoration sparks, unplug it if you can safely reach the plug.
If anything catches fire and it is not tiny and contained, get everyone out and call 911 from outside.
Close the door behind you as you leave if you can, to slow the fire.
Never try to put out a burning tree yourself. Get out and call for help.
Once it is safe, take photos of any damage, the outlet and the decoration involved.
Share what happened in writing right away so any damage can be repaired.

You did exactly the right thing.

Please be careful with these

Please don’t run cords under rugs, through doorways or pinched in windows.
Please don’t leave candles burning unattended or near trees, curtains or paper decorations.
Please don’t keep a dried out tree in the home. Take it out once needles fall easily.
Please don’t staple or nail lights to the home’s exterior or trim without permission.

Choosing a fresh tree: needles on a fresh tree bend instead of breaking and don’t fall off easily when a branch is gently pulled.

Hanging things without damage

Removable adhesive hooks, over the door hangers, tension rods and freestanding displays usually leave walls unharmed.
Ask before using nails, screws or staples.
Remove adhesive hooks slowly by pulling the tab straight down along the wall.

Plug tree and window lights into a timer. They turn off on their own at bedtime, even on the busiest nights.

For owners

Before the holidays

From the guide’s list for supporting a festive home. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

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Test smoke alarms and make sure every level and sleeping area has working alarms.
Make sure outdoor outlets have weather covers and ground fault protection.
Let residents know what kinds of hooks, hangers and outdoor decorations are welcome.
In shared buildings, set kind guidelines for hallways, doors and common areas, keeping exits clear.
Check that the fireplace, chimney and heating system have been inspected if they will be used.

Printable checklist

Like it on paper?

The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.

Get the printable checklist

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Test yourself

How much do you remember?

4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.

From The Perfect Series

Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook

Simple, step by step checklists you can write in, one topic at a time, to help any home stay warm, safe and dry through every season.

See The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook All books in The Perfect Series

Keep the full guide handy

The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.

Download the PDF

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Fire and Electrical Safety Checklist PackThe Fire and Electrical Safety checklists in one pack, fillable on screen or printable.
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This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal or safety-code advice. Please follow the maker’s instructions for lights and decorations. Bunklow does not inspect properties or make repairs.