Practice Safe Decorating Habits this Holiday Season

As residents begin to decorate their homes and businesses for the holiday season, UGI encourages all members of the community to remember the following safety tips:

• Avoid fire hazards. Remove flammable items from ignition sources. Keep burning candles in sight and extinguish all candles before leaving the room or at the end of the day. Consider using battery operated candles to avoid a potential fire. Turn off tree lights and lit decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Make sure artificial holiday trees are labeled fire resistant. If you have a live tree, remember to water it frequently; remove it when it’s dry. Place trees at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources.
• Inspect electrical decorations. Ensure there are no loose or bare wires that could cause a fire or electric shock.
• Don’t obstruct walkways or exits. Make sure streamers, wires, and other decorative objects are clear of walkways and don’t cause tripping hazards or block exits.
• Use electric extension cords properly. If you are decorating your home’s exterior, make sure you use outdoor-rated extension cords and timers. If a cord feels hot to the touch, it is overloaded and may cause an electrical fire. To help avoid overheating indoor extension cords, do not run them under furniture or carpeting. Don’t piggyback cords together to set up decorations in an area where a regular plug cannot reach.
• Keep the gas behind glass. If your gas fireplace is designed to use a glass panel, do not use the fireplace if the panel is removed, cracked, or broken. Only allow a qualified service person to replace fireplace parts. If you smell gas, evacuate immediately and call 911 or UGI at 800-276-2722. For more information on gas safety, visit ugi.com/natural-gas-safety.
• Pack it away. When the holidays are over, pack up your holiday lights in well-sealed containers. This will prevent potential water damage and also deter animals from chewing on the cords.

For more safety information, visit www.ugi.com/electric-safety.