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Holiday Decorating Guidelines
The following holiday display safety guidelines are offered to help
keep this festive time of the year from being marred by fires or
accidents. Please post and share this information with your staff
and ensure that these guidelines are followed.
Trees
- Cut and live trees must be sprayed with a fire retardant. Vendors
may have sprayed trees that should carry a tag. The tag must remain
on the tree while the tree is in use. Fire retardant sprays are
available from merchants. Keep the retardant can in the area to
show that you sprayed the tree. A fire retardant solution can also
be made by following this recipe: 9 oz. Borax, 4 oz. Boric acid,
1 gallon water, and 1⁄2 teaspoon low sudsing detergent.
- Treat natural foliage wreaths, garlands, etc. with a fire-retardant,
too. These become very dry very quickly.
- Keep all cut natural trees in at least 2 inches of water at all
times. Keep the bottom of the trunk fully immersed.
- Cut trees and/or live trees are
NOT allowed in Residence Halls.
- Artificial trees bearing the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL)
or Factory Mutual (FM) approval ratings are preferred. Read the
manufacturer’s instructions regarding the use of electric
lights.
- Metallic trees may create electrical hazards when placed in close
proximity to electrical apparatus; therefore the use of electric
lights on metallic trees is prohibited.
- Use of extension cords is discouraged. Power strips with a fuse
or circuit breaker are recommended if there are not enough outlets.
If extension cords are used, they must bear the UL label and be
of adequate wire size for the intended use. Only heavy-duty extension
cords should be used for decorations and they must be taken out
of service after the holiday season. No frayed or broken cords
may be used. No multi-plug adapters may be used.
- No electrical cords (either extension or light cords) may be
routed through doorways with doors or under throw rugs or loose
carpeting. The opening and closing action of a door and people
walking over the carpet will damage the cord. Cords may not be
routed under doors because they become tripping hazards.
- Lights and extension cords used for decorations must be unplugged
(not just turned off) at the end of each day.
Decorations/Displays
- Decorations and displays should be compact. It is also suggested
they be confined to office areas.
- Paper decorations should not cover more than 25% of the surface
area of any wall. For example, if an office wall is 8 feet high
by 10 feet long, the paper decorations should not cover more than
20 square feet of wall area.
- Displays/decorations shall not be located in exit corridors
or block emergency egress from any room. They must also be kept
away from exit signs, fire alarm devices (pull stations, smoke
and heat detectors, etc.), fire extinguishers, and emergency and
normal-use light fixtures. Exit signs and emergency lights must
not be obstructed in any way. Do not hang items from sprinkler
heads or sprinkler piping.
- Please exercise caution with the use of spray applied artificial
snow. This type of decoration will set off smoke detectors faster
than you can say "Ho Ho Ho"!
- Use ladders – not chairs, stepstools or boxes – when
installing decorations in high locations.
Efforts should be made to remove holiday decorations before university
personnel leave for the University Holiday closure. Holiday
decorations in residence halls must be removed prior to students
leaving for the semester break.
Remember, if a fire should occur:
- Call 911, report the fire location
- Sound the building fire alarm
- Evacuate the area
- Close doors as you leave
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!
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