Christmas tree safety tips for businesses

The festive period brings happiness and joy to millions across the world, but our favourite Christmas traditions — be it trees, meals or decorations —  can be serious fire hazards if not treated sensibly. Follow our tips to to keep your business safe this holiday season. We want everyone to have a white Christmas — not an orange one.

Christmas Trees

Christmas trees are a staple in almost every UK home around Christmas time, but many businesses will also decorate their offices or workplace with Christmas trees too. Sadly, trees become catalysts for serious house fires each year and can pose a serious fire safety risk for workplaces too. Being wary of the following rules will greatly reduce the chances of fires this Christmas.

When choosing between real trees and artificial trees, be aware that real trees are more prone to catching fire than artificial trees. This is because real Christmas trees have the capacity to dry out. Using an artificial tree is, therefore, a better option in terms of fire safety.

Xmas Tree

If you still wish to include a real tree in your workplace this Christmas, use a little more caution. Look out for the following features of your tree to ensure it is well hydrated:

  • Pick a tree with a deep green colour
  • Touch the tree’s needles (if you’re allowed); the needles should not fall to the ground easily. Doing so would suggest an unhealthy tree.
  • Touch the tree trunk. This should feel a little sticky. Trees that do not feel this way should generally be avoided.

The following guidelines should be followed regardless of whether you opt for an artificial or real tree:

  • Make sure the tree is not situated near any naked flames.
  • Don’t situate the tree so that it obstructs any fire exits or doors.
  • Never decorate the tree with any naked-flamed decorations. If putting lights on your tree, LEDs are highly recommended due to operating at a low temperature.
  • Turn off Christmas tree lights when you leave the workplace.

Decorations/Lights

A great sight during the festive period is the abundance of houses and businesses strewn inside and out with colourful lights and elaborate decorations. A sizeable amount of decorations can be a lot to keep an eye on, and large amounts of electrical items are always require caution. Consider the following tips to enjoy a workplace that is both decorative and safe for employees.

  • Only lights that carry the British standard safety sign should be used.
  • Make sure that any hanging decorations (such as tinsel) are kept well away from naked flames or heat sources.
  • Only use lights and electric decorations that are in good condition. Check that there is no torn wiring on the product.
  • Preferably, choose LED lights over regular bulbs to decorate your home as these operate at a lower temperature.
  • Turn your lights and electric decorations off when you go to leave the premises. This will avoid the chance of them overheating.

Necessary fire safety equipment

While the tips in this article should help to prevent a fire this Christmas, it’s always important to be prepared in the unlikely case that one does occur.

  • Make sure you have accessible fire extinguishers in your workplace.
  • Make sure all fire alarms are installed and are regularly maintained.
  • If unsure, hire a fully accredited professional to carry out a comprehensive fire risk assessment of you business.

At Cheshire Fire, we care about your safety. We offer installation and maintenance of the highest quality fire safety equipment, including extinguishers and alarms to ensure you’re kept safe this holiday season — and all year round. To learn more about what we offer, get in touch today.