Office and Door Decorating Fire Safety Rules
Holiday decorations for the workplace can be a fun way to help students, faculty and staff enjoy the
spirit of the holiday seasons together. Please remember to keep safety in mind while respecting the
traditions of our students, faculty and staff by observing these rules for holiday decorations in all
Clarkson facilities.
TREES
- LIVE trees are NOT permitted.
- Consider using fire-resistant or flame-retardant artificial trees which pose less risk. Product
packaging will indicate if item is fire-resistant or flame-retardant. - Trees should be in a location that does NOT interfere with foot traffic.
- DO NOT BLOCK your escape route – doorways, exits, stairways – or emergency safety
equipment – fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, exit signs, etc.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS - Before plugging in electrical decorations, carefully check each set of lights, new or old, for
broken or cracked sockets, frayed, lose or bare wires, or loose connections. Damaged sets may
cause a serious electrical shock or start a fire; if damaged, discard – DO NOT attempt to repair. - DO NOT overload power strips or outlets, which could overheat and start a fire.
- Extension cords are NOT permitted.
- Use indoor lights indoors only and outside lights outdoors only. LED lights are preferred.
- Use only lights that have been tested for safety, identified by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL)
Label. - DO NOT connect more than 3 strands of lights together.
- DO NOT string lights across the ceiling or over doorways – they can fall and become an
entanglement hazard.
TRIMMINGS & OTHER DECORATIONS - Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials.
- Natural decorative greens (wreaths, boughs) are NOT permitted and are against NYS Fire Code.
- DO NOT cover more than 20% of any walls or door with decorations.
- DO NOT hang decorations from ceilings, sprinklers, pipes or light fixtures.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses while decorating with spun glass “angel hair,” which can irate
eyes and skin. A common substitute is non-flammable cotton. Both angel hair and cotton snow
are flame retardant when used alone. - When spraying artificial snow on windows or other surfaces, be sure to follow directions
carefully. These sprays can irritate your lungs if inhaled. - DO NOT BLOCK your escape route – doorways, exits, stairways – or emergency safety
equipment – fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, exit signs, etc.
OPEN FLAME LIGHTING DEVICES
Candles contribute to 10,000 fires per year. Open flame lighting devices, including candles,
lanterns, oil lamps, etc. are prohibited from use at Clarkson University. Consider electric holiday
decorations, flameless candles or wickless candle warmers as a safer alternative instead.