As Mississippians prepare their homes for the Christmas season, state officials are urging residents to take extra care with holiday decorations to reduce the risk of fires.
“Use holiday decorations made with flame-retardant or non-combustible materials. Carefully inspect new and used light strings and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. My biggest tip is do not overload extension cords,” Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney said.
Chaney’s office also released a full list of safety steps for families to follow:
- Use lights approved by Underwriters’ Laboratories.
- Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
- Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
- Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and keep any candles in the room away from branches.
- Ensure the tree is not blocking an exit.
- Keep live trees as moist as possible by watering them daily.
- Place trees at least three feet from any heat source.
- Remove the tree once it becomes dry.
- Do not burn a Christmas tree in the fireplace, as heat can cause the wood to explode and ignite nearby materials.
Officials say following these steps can help prevent holiday tragedies and keep families safe throughout the season.