Twelve Tips for a Safer Holiday Gathering

Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose only those that are flame retardant, or flame resistant.
Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or lost bulb connections. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the maximum number of light strands to connect.
Do not leave tree lights on when you retire for the evening.
Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so that the cords do not get damaged.
Keep decorations way from windows and doors (in case of fire, you might need this escape).
Ensure that pets or toddlers cannot play with cords, light sockets or breakable ornaments.
Make sure that your tree is not blocking a heating vent, or an exit (i.e. sliding glass door). Nearly half of all decoration fires are from decorations placed too close to a heat source.
Make sure that someone is in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
Watch those long pot handles to make sure they cannot be knocked off the burner or grabbed with little hands.
Ask smokers to smoke in designated areas and ask them to keep their smoking supplies with them, so young children do not touch them.
On Christmas morning, dispose of waste paper properly, do not discard in the fireplace – lightweight ashes can escape the flue and ignite carpeting.