With the holiday season fully upon us, many Posts are ready to decorate. During this joyous season, it is important to consider holiday decorating safety. Whether your Post decorates a small Charlie Brown tree or goes full Chevy Chase, keep your Post’s property and members safe with these tips:

Indoor Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

  • If your Post purchases a live tree, check for freshness as a fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard. Because heated rooms dry live trees, fill the tree stand with water each day.
  • If your Post has an artificial tree, ensure it has a fire resistant label. If not, consider purchasing one that does.
  • Artificial or real, be sure to place your tree at least 3 feet away from all heat sources.
  • Use battery-operated candles in place of traditional candles.
  • Carefully inspect each electrical decoration before using. If anything is cracked or damaged, replace it.
  • Don’t overload your electrical outlets.
  • Use LED lights, rather than incandescent bulbs that generate heat.

Outdoor Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

  • Ensure all extension cords and electrical decorations are marked for outdoor use.
  • Keep extension cords and light strings clear of snow and standing water.
  • Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees or buildings to protect them from wind damage.
  • Take care when hanging light cords, as it can be easy to damage their insulation.
  • If using a ladder, use the right ladder height and have someone hold the ladder.
  • Consider hiring a professional to hang lights if your Post has a high roof.
  • Turn off all electrical decorations before leaving your Post.

Even if your Post follows all safety tips, there is a chance your Post can incur damage. Learn how Property Insurance from  Lockton Affinity can protect your Post and its belongings year-round.

Program is administered by Lockton Affinity, LLC d/b/a Lockton Affinity Insurance Brokers, LLC in California #0795478. Coverage may not be available in all states and is subject to actual policy terms and conditions. Coverage may be provided by an excess/surplus lines insurer which is not licensed by or subject to the supervision of the insurance department of your state of residence. Policy coverage forms and rates may not be subject to regulation by the insurance department of your state of residence. Excess/surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and therefore insureds are not protected by such funds in the event of the insurer’s insolvency.