As you gather with family, friends, and colleagues this holiday season, prioritizing safety is crucial both at home and in the workplace.

From decorating safely to staying aware of fire hazards, here are some tips from UNLV's Risk Management & Safety to keep your celebrations merry, bright, and safe.

Deck the Halls…with a Mind for Safety

Holiday decor is a great way to get into a festive mood. Here are some steps to consider when decorating your home and office.

• 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 using personal space heaters at work, which can overload circuits and pose fire hazards.
• Keep decorations away from emergency exits in all office buildings 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 things that can burn. 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 for the 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 avoid accidents.

Cook with Caution

• 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, remain in the home while it's cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. 
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, curtains — away from your stovetop.

Keep Fire in Sight at All Times

Whether it’s the soft glow of candles or the warmth of a fire pit, holiday fires can be charming but also dangerous if left unattended.

• 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 sparklers, glow sticks, or noisemakers

Lighting the Tree 

Trees add holiday cheer but need careful positioning and care to reduce fire risks.

• Keep trees away from heaters, fireplaces, or any other heat source.
• Water live trees daily to prevent them from drying out and becoming highly flammable.
• Use lights that are safety-tested and safe for holiday trees.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer's instructions for the maximum number of light strands to connect.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. 
• Always turn off the tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Recycle Your Tree After the Holidays!

Once the season is over, keep the holiday spirit going by recycling your tree. UNLV’s Rebel Recycling Center, along with the Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee, offers drop-off locations on campus and around 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. Here’s wishing you a holiday season that’s merry, bright, and above all, safe!