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Fire safety recommendations for Christmas trees and home decorations

Why is it important to take care of safety during the holidays?

The risk of fires increases significantly during the festive season. For example, in 2023, between Christmas Eve and Epiphany, more than 400 fires broke out in Lithuania (of which over 5 were caused by holiday decorations catching fire). Firefighters receive calls every year about sparking or igniting garlands, flaming wreaths, or fires caused by candles.
Insurers also record painful cases – according to the data of “Lietuvos draudimus“, there have been cases where a homeowner had to pay over 80 thousand euros in damages due to a fire caused by a Christmas tree garland alone. Therefore, every home that decorates a Christmas tree or other decorations must follow fire safety advice.

Christmas tree preparation: location, type and stability

  • A solid place to place your tree: Place your tree on a stable, sturdy base, away from doors, so that it doesn’t fall over or obstruct your exit. Make sure that the branches don’t touch walls or ceilings – a distance of at least ~1 meter is recommended. Keep your tree as far away from fireplaces, radiators, or other sources of strong heat as possible.
  • Real or artificial Christmas tree: A real (natural) Christmas tree can be very dangerous if it dries out – the resin-saturated branches catch fire instantly. However, a plastic artificial Christmas tree is not much safer: its flammable materials also catch fire easily, and when burning, they also emit toxic fumes. Both types of Christmas trees can burn quickly, so caution is necessary regardless of the type of Christmas tree. According to manufacturers, some artificial Christmas trees are coated with a flame retardant, but this material only holds back the flame for a short time – it does not provide complete protection.
  • Moisturizing a natural Christmas tree: To keep a live Christmas tree safe for longer, water it daily – moist branches will not only be more resistant to falling needles, but also less flammable. Do not let the Christmas tree dry out completely: if the tree has started to shed needles heavily, it is a sign that it has become too dry – remove such a Christmas tree from the house immediately.
  • No open flame decorations: Fire safety experts strictly prohibit decorating the Christmas tree with open flame decorations – do not place burning candles or “Bengal” (cold) sparklers on it. Although this was done in ancient times, it is extremely dangerous nowadays – a fire on the Christmas tree can instantly spread to the branches and decorations. Even if you intend to watch the candles or sparklers, the risk is not justified: the flame spreads extremely quickly, especially if there are synthetic or paper decorations on the Christmas tree. Use only electric bulbs and safe decorations.

Electric garlands: safe selection and use

The Consumer Rights Protection Service (VVTAT) inspects Christmas garlands every year and identifies a number of unsafe products. In order to avoid fire or electric shock, it is important to choose garlands responsibly and operate them properly. Here are the main rules:

  • Choose only certified garlands: Make sure that the product has the CE marking – this means that the manufacturer declares compliance with safety requirements. Also check the IP protection class: this code indicates the garland’s resistance to environmental factors. Indoor garlands are usually marked with lower resistance (or a pictogram – a house with an arrow pointing inward), and outdoor garlands must be at least IP44 class (pictogram with a house and an arrow pointing outward). Information about the type, model, technical parameters and use of the garland in Lithuanian must be provided on the packaging or in the instructions. Do not choose dubious, unmarked garlands – an unsafe garland can cause a fire.
  • Physical condition and quality: Before using a new or used string light, inspect it carefully. Unwind the entire cord and check for damage: cracked or exposed insulation, broken plugs or transformer parts, fallen or broken bulbs. Also, consider the thickness of the cord – very thin cord can easily break or overheat, especially if pulled on by a child or pet.
  • Checking the operation before hanging: Even if the garland looks neat, be sure to connect and test it before hanging it. Observe for a few minutes: whether all segments light up without jerking, whether the transformer and wires are not heating up, whether the connectors are not sparking, whether there is a smell of burning plastic. If you notice even the slightest spark, heating of the wires or the smell of burning – immediately turn off and do not use such a garland. Such a defect means a real risk of electric shock or fire, so do not repair it yourself – it is better to replace the garland with a safe one.
  • Correct use indoors: When decorating your home indoors, arrange the garland wires safely. Do not pinch the wires through window or door frames, or leave them under heavy furniture legs. Try not to walk on the wires – a constantly stepped on wire can be damaged. Do not connect too many garlands to one socket: if you are using older (incandescent) light garlands, do not connect more than 3 garlands to the same electrical socket or extension cord. Too much load at one point in the network can overheat the installation. It is better to use energy-saving LED bulbs, which heat up less and consume less electricity.
  • Indoor and outdoor garlands: Never use indoor garlands outdoors – they are not resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations, and can quickly fail or cause a short circuit. Decorations intended for outdoor use are always marked accordingly (see IP class or instructions).
  • Don’t forget to turn off: Aesthetics are important, but safety comes first. Always turn off electric lights and other lighted decorations when you leave the house or go to bed. Insurers note that people often forget to turn off lights or even intentionally leave them on overnight – this behavior can be costly. Even when you are at home, it is not a bad idea to let your lights “rest” from time to time: most decorative lights are not designed to operate continuously 24/7, so do not leave them on for too long. Too long operation without a break can lead to overheating. Important: if you notice that the light turns off by itself, flashes or behaves suspiciously in any other way – do not leave it unattended and it is better to replace it with another one.

Safety of candles and fire decorations (candles, lanterns, wreaths)

Burning candles create a cozy atmosphere in the home, but they are one of the most common causes of holiday fires. According to the insurance company “If”, many fires in December are caused by candle flames igniting table decorations (e.g. wreaths) or curtains. To prevent candles from ruining your holiday, follow these rules:

  • Safe candle placement: Always place the candle on a non-flammable and heat-resistant surface. The candle holder must be stable; special ceramic or metal containers are suitable for this. Do not place the candle directly on a tablecloth or Christmas tree branches – even a metal candle can heat the base underneath and ignite it. The bottom of the candle gets very hot when burning, so the surface underneath must be non-flammable.
  • Away from flammable materials: There should be no flammable objects around burning candles. Keep them away from curtains, furniture upholstery, paper decorations, dry plant arrangements, etc. Also make sure there are no drafts nearby – the wind can push the flame closer to a flammable object. Advent wreaths are particularly dangerous because they are often made of dried plants: if candles are lit on them, place the wreath on a non-flammable plate and keep the candles a safe distance from the wreath branches and other decorations. The candles in the wreath must stand completely stable; the safest option is to use LED candles.
  • Stay alert: Never leave a burning candle unattended, even for a short time. The flame can ignite into a fire within minutes if it accidentally touches a nearby flammable object. It is especially dangerous to leave candles burning overnight or when leaving the house – always blow them out before leaving or going to bed. Even if you are at home, it is recommended not to engage in any activity in another room while the candle is burning. It is better to burn candles only when you can constantly monitor them.
  • Protect children and pets: Small children and pets should not be left alone in a room with a burning candle. Curious children may try to play with fire – keep all matches and lighters out of reach of children. Pets may accidentally trip over and knock over a candle, so it is better to avoid such solutions or use electric candles.

"Bengal" (cold) sparklers: risks and conditions of use

Small, snapping bengal sparklers are often called “cold” sparklers, but that’s a misleading name – they produce a lot of heat. Firefighters warn that these sparklers should not be used carelessly in enclosed spaces.

Main threats:

  • Extremely high temperature: “Bengal” sparklers emit glowing sparks when burning and reach temperatures of up to 1000°C. Although they may appear small, their fire can instantly burn any flammable surface. Even after it has gone out, the hot metal stick remains at ~650°C! This means that you can get seriously burned if you touch it, or papers in the trash can can catch fire if you drop the stick while it is still hot. Never throw a newly extinguished sparkler where it falls – let it cool in a non-flammable place (e.g. in a container of water).
  • Do not use on a Christmas tree or near flammable materials: As mentioned, cold sparklers on a Christmas tree are completely unsafe. Sparks fall directly onto branches and decorations, which can ignite instantly. The same applies indoors: if you light a sparkler indoors (e.g. to decorate a holiday cake), keep it away from garlands, curtains, paper decorations, etc. Hold the sparkler at arm’s length, away from your face and clothing. Light only one sparkler at a time – lighting several at once is very dangerous. It is better to use these sparklers only outdoors, where the sparks will not be able to ignite anything.
  • Child care: Children are often given sparklers at festive events. Remember that this is very dangerous for them – do not let children light sparklers alone. If a child is holding a burning sparkler, be nearby and ensure that they do not touch it to their body or other people. The hot wire can severely burn the skin, especially the delicate skin of children. It is best to avoid using sparklers indoors altogether, and supervise children very closely when burning them outdoors.

Outdoor decoration garland safety

When decorating the exterior of your home, yard, or balcony with electric lights, all the same requirements apply as for inside, but the dangers posed by environmental factors add to the danger. Firefighters advise “doing your homework” before hanging decorations outdoors and following these rules:

  • Only use outdoor lights: First, make sure that the light is suitable for outdoor use – read the manufacturer’s instructions. Check the IP rating (outdoor lights have a high level of protection against moisture, e.g. IP44 or higher). Also, pay attention to the temperature range allowed for use – temperatures can drop significantly in winter. Avoid homemade connectors or indoor extension cords: all extension cords and distributors must also be designed for outdoor use (have tight connections, grounding contacts). Indoor extension cords can quickly fail in cold or humid environments and cause short circuits.
  • Proper fastening: When hanging garlands outdoors, it is important to secure them well so that the wind does not blow them away and the wires do not rub. Use plastic fastening straps or brackets for this purpose. Do not anchor the wires with nails, metal staples or other sharp elements – moisture can cause dangerous electrical leakage or short circuits by piercing the insulation.
  • Protection from water: Outdoors, moisture is the biggest enemy. All electrical connections and plugs must be protected from rain and snow. If possible, connect the garlands where they will be under a roof or at least cover the connections with waterproof insulation. Keep the connection points away from water (don’t leave them in a puddle or on a flat roof without a drain). Also, try to route the wires where they won’t be walked on or driven over – mechanical damage can cause both an electric shock and a fire hazard.
  • Safe power supply: Connect outdoor lights to the mains only through safe connections. It is best if the outdoor socket has a tight cover to prevent moisture. If possible, use an electrical circuit protected by a residual current device (RCD) – in the event of a fault, it will disconnect the voltage and protect against possible electric shock. Be sure to turn off outdoor lights when they are not needed, especially at night or when leaving home. Outdoor lights and wires are subject to additional stress due to the cold, so they also need a “rest” – leave them turned off for at least a few hours a day. This will reduce both the risk of fire and save electricity

Additional measures: smoke detectors and vigilance

Even if we strictly follow all the above recommendations, we cannot completely rule out a disaster. Therefore, it is important to have tools at home that will warn of a fire in time and help extinguish it:

  • Autonomous smoke detectors are mandatory: We remind you that according to fire regulations, every home must be equipped with working smoke alarms. As many as 80% of apartments where fires broke out during the holidays last year did not have detectors installed. The detector will wake you up with an audible signal even at night and can save a life. Install them in all living rooms or at least in the hallway near the bedrooms. Check their operation once a month (by pressing the test button) and do not forget to change the batteries on time.
  • Fire extinguisher at home: It is advisable to have at least a small powder extinguisher or fire blanket at home for initial fire extinguishing. Firefighters recommend keeping the extinguisher in the kitchen or other risky place – where the probability of fire is highest. If a Christmas tree or decoration catches fire, you can quickly extinguish a small fire yourself. For example, experts advise that as soon as you notice a burning Christmas tree, unplug its garlands from the electrical outlet, knock the Christmas tree to the ground and extinguish it (a thick, damp cloth is also very suitable for this). However, remember: only extinguish the initial fire when you are sure of your safety. If the fire is spreading quickly and you cannot control it within a few seconds – immediately retreat outside, call 112 and wait for the firefighters at a safe distance. Material losses will be compensated by insurance, but you should not risk your life.
  • Caution is the best prevention: During the festive hustle and bustle, do not forget about elementary habits that help prevent fires. Do not overheat the electrical network – do not plug many devices into one socket. Do not cover electric garlands with any cloth or paper (sometimes people mask light bulbs with curtains – this is not allowed!). Do not use damaged electrical equipment – if you notice sparking in a socket or the smell of burning wires, turn off the electricity and call an electrician. Take care of insurance – although we hope that you will avoid a fire, property insurance will provide financial protection if a disaster does occur (insurers note that fire payments are higher than usual in December).

Celebrate responsibly. Decorate your home and tree with these fire safety tips to ensure that your Christmas cheer isn’t ruined by any unexpected disasters.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

✅ We remind you:

You can easily purchase home insurance on the Man ramu insurance platform – manramu.lt.

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