The holiday season is upon us! That means it's time to gather with loved ones, prepare feasts, and hang lights, and decor. With so much on our plates this time of year, it's easy to get wrapped up in the fun and let safety slide. But don't worry, UNLV's Risk Management & Safety team has you covered. They've compiled tips to help you celebrate safely without missing a merry moment.

Cook with Care

Food is an integral part of any celebration, but distractions while cooking increase the risk of fires. While preparing your traditional holiday meals, keep these tips in mind:

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don't use the stove or stovetop. 
• Establish a "kid-free zone" around the stove while cooking to prevent burns.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove. 
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home while it's cooking, and use a timer as a reminder.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, and curtains — away from your stovetop.

Decorate Safely

Nothing says holiday spirit like twinkling lights and festive decorations. Whether you're preparing a Great Christmas Light Fight-inspired display or simple office decor, keep safety top of mind.

• Use a stable ladder and wear closed-toe shoes when hanging decorations.

• Inspect all holiday lights for frayed wires or broken bulbs before use and replace damaged lights.

• Avoid daisy-chaining extension cords, which can cause electrical fires. 
• Avoid using personal space heaters at work, as they can overload circuits and pose a fire hazard.
• Keep decorations away from emergency exits to avoid blocking fire doors. Also, keep decorations away from windows and doors.  
• Switch off all lights and decorations before leaving the office for the day.
• Choose flame-resistant or flame-retardant decorations. 
• Keep lit candles away from decorations in your home and other flammable items. On campus or in shared workspaces, open flames, including candles, are prohibited.
• Know the difference between indoor and outdoor lights and use them accordingly.
• Read the manufacturer's instructions to determine the correct number of light strands to connect. 
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged. 
• Keep appliance cords out of reach from children and pets to prevent accidents.
• Do not hang ornaments or decorations from sprinkler heads.

Keep Fires in Sight 

Fire pits and candles create holiday ambiance and keep you warm through the chilly months. Remember, when there’s an open flame, don’t let it out of your sight. 

• Place candles away from flammable items and never leave them unattended.
• Battery-operated candles are a safe alternative, especially in the office.
• For outdoor fire pits, have water or a fire extinguisher on hand for quick response.
• Fireworks might seem festive, but they pose significant safety risks. Welcome the new year safely by using glow sticks or noisemakers.
• Arrange fire extinguisher training with a Risk Management & Safety team member. Preparing in advance will help you act quickly in case of an emergency. Contact Julie Moos or Ricardo Malan for more information.

Trim the Tree Responsibly 

Trees are a focal point of many holiday traditions. Providing them with the care and attention they deserve will help them thrive throughout the season and prevent fires. 

• Keep trees away from heaters, fireplaces, and other heat sources.
• Water live trees daily to prevent them from drying out and becoming highly flammable.
• Ensure that all decorations, especially electrical ones, have a certification label from an independent testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL. 
• Replace strings of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer's instructions to determine the maximum number of light strands that can be connected.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. 
• Always turn off the tree lights before leaving the office, home, or going to bed.

Recycle Your Tree After the Holidays!

UNLV's Rebel Recycling Center, in collaboration with the Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee, provides drop-off locations on campus and throughout the city. Recycled trees are turned into mulch for local landscaping, keeping them out of landfills and giving back to our community!

For any questions about holiday safety or event planning on campus, contact Risk Management & Safety at 702-895-4226. Wishing you a holiday season that's merry, bright, and above all, safe!