Originally published in December 2021. Updated November 2025.

VFW Posts take pride in decorating their Post Home for festivities throughout the holiday season. 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

Live and Artificial Trees

  • Purchase a live tree — To minimize fire hazards and maximize a long life, be sure to pick a fresh live tree. Look for green color, needles that are hard to pluck and bend instead of break, and trunks with sticky resin at the base. Test a tree for freshness with a gentle shake or tap. A fresh tree won’t produce a shower of needles, a dry one will.
  • Watering a live tree — Remember heated rooms can rapidly dry out live trees creating a fire hazard, so always check and fill the tree stand with water each day.
  • Fire-resistant artificial trees — Be sure to use artificial trees that come with a fire-resistant label. If the label is absent from the tree you’re considering, purchase a different one.
  • Consider placement — Place both artificial and real trees at least 3 feet away from all heat sources. Make sure the tree does not block doors or walkways.

Candles and lights

  • Use battery-operated candles in place of traditional candles.
  • Inspect each and every electrical decoration carefully before using. If anything is cracked, damaged or frayed, replace it.
  • Use LED lights, rather than incandescent bulbs that generate heat and require higher electrical power. Be sure to use lights that are specifically for indoor use.
  • Note the wattage and amps on lights and decorations and calculate the totals for each electrical outlet circuit you use. Remember the formula watts = amps x volts to determine a safe electrical load for lights. Make sure not to overload your outlets.
  • Use extension cords safely. Avoid stringing cords together or overloading them and make sure cords are securely fastened to avoid becoming a trip hazard.
  • Put lights away carefully at the end of the season to protect wires and bulbs from damage.

Outdoor Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

  • Use outdoor-use decor — Ensure all extension cords, lights and electrical decorations you use outside indicate they are safe for outdoor use.
  • Protecting your decor — 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 lights, as it can be easy to damage their insulation.
  • Follow roof and ladder best practices — Remember if you are using a ladder to use the right height ladder for the job, place it on level ground and have someone hold the base of the ladder to steady it. Consider hiring a professional to hang lights if your Post has a high roof.

Post Protection for the Holidays and Year-Round

Even if your Post takes every safety precaution, there is a chance your Post could incur damage. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are more than 15,000 decorating mishaps each holiday season. The right insurance protection can help protect your Post from the risk.

Learn how Property Insurance from Lockton Affinity can protect your Post and its belongings year-round.