It’s the season for trees and lights. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says there are about 160 Christmas decorating injuries a day in the holiday season, with nearly half involving falls; in the 2023 season (1 November 2022 to 31 January 2023) about 14,900 people were treated in emergency rooms. It says never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights, keep candles in sight and water live trees. Here are its 2024 release and its 2011 decorating tips together.
1. About 160 decorating injuries a day in the season, nearly half falls — mind the ladder.
2. No more than three sets of incandescent lights; don’t overload outlets.
3. Candles in sight and out when you leave; water live trees; “Fire Resistant” label on artificial ones.
The numbers — CPSC (US)
| Item | CPSC figure | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Decorating injuries in the season | About 160 a day, nearly half falls | Release of 19 November 2024 |
| ER-treated, 2023 season | About 14,900 (1 Nov 2022–31 Jan 2023) | About 162 a day over 92 days (our sum) |
| ER-treated, Nov–Dec 2010 | More than 13,000 | 2011 release; up from about 10,000 in 2007 and 12,000 in 2008 and 2009 |
| Tree fires (2006–2008 yearly average) | 4 deaths, $18 million damage | Old figures, 2011 release |
| Candle fires (same period) | About 130 deaths, $360 million losses | Old figures, 2011 release |
Trees — CPSC
| Type | What the source says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing a live tree | Needles green, flexible, staying on; trunk base sticky with resin | 2011 tips |
| Placing it | Away from heat such as fireplaces, vents, radiators; not blocking doorways | — |
| Water | Check daily, keep the stand full — the 2024 release says water regularly too | — |
| Artificial | Look for “Fire Resistant” — more resistant, not fireproof | — |
| Small children | Avoid sharp, heavy or breakable ornaments, small removable parts, decorations that look like food or sweets | — |
Lights and cords — CPSC
| Type | What the source says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Connecting | No more than three sets of incandescent lights; don’t overload outlets | 2024 release |
| Certification | Lab-tested lights only — UL’s red holographic label means indoor and outdoor, the green UL mark indoor only | US marks; KC mark in Korea (ours) |
| Inspect | New or old: cracked sockets, frayed wires, loose connections; throw out damaged sets | — |
| Metal trees | No electric lights on a metal tree | — |
| Extension cords | Rated for the intended use | — |
| Outdoors | Outdoor-certified lights only, on a GFCI outlet | — |
Candles and fireplaces — CPSC
The CPSC says never leave burning candles unattended: keep them in sight and blow them out before bed, leaving a room or going out. Put them on stable, heat-resistant surfaces away from children, pets, trees, decorations, curtains and furniture, and use flameless candles where possible. Don’t burn wrapping paper in the fireplace: it can ignite suddenly and cause a flash fire. “Fire salts” for coloured flames contain heavy metals that can cause severe stomach irritation and vomiting if swallowed, so keep them from children.
Checklist
- ☐ Don’t climb ladders alone — nearly half the injuries are falls (ladder tip is ours)
- ☐ Three light sets at most; discard damaged ones
- ☐ Tree away from heat; water live trees daily
- ☐ Candles in sight and out when you leave; flameless if possible
- ☐ No wrapping paper in the fireplace
Questions that remain
Does the three-set limit apply to LEDs?
The CPSC’s three sets refers to incandescent lights. LED limits aren’t in these releases; follow the maximum on the packaging (ours).
Why are the fire figures old?
The 2024 release has no tree or candle fire figures, so we used the 2006–2008 figures from the 2011 release and said so.
For a fire while cooking see kitchen cooking fire safety; for choosing one, home and car fire extinguishers.
Sources
- CPSC — Happy Holidays Start with Safety (release 25-049) — source (19 November 2024; checked 19 October 2026). About 160 a day and nearly half falls, about 14,900 in the 2023 season, watering trees, Fire Resistant, candles, three incandescent sets.
- CPSC — Holiday Safety Alert: Consumer Injuries Involving Decorations and Decorating Are on the Rise — source (13 December 2011; checked 19 October 2026). ER trend 2007–2010, 2006–2008 tree and candle fires, 12 decorating tips.
- Not read. The CPSC decorating PDF; Korean fire statistics; NFPA pages (would not open).
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean everyday gloss.
Where to check further
- Product instructions — maximum linked sets and outdoor use.
Written on 19 October 2026. The content is from the source; the glosses are ours.
