Deck the Halls Safely: Essential Holiday Decorating Tips!

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As we enjoy the holiday season, please keep in mind the decorating guidelines below for the HSC campus.

UNT HSC Holiday Decorating Guidelines:

1) Decorations and Trees:

  1. Natural (live) Christmas trees are not permitted
  2. Ensure trees are placed in an area that does not preventing egress or restrict door closure.
  3. All trees and decorations shall be kept a minimum of two feet from the ceiling.
  4. Holes may not be placed in walls or doors to secure decorations.
  5. All fasteners (tape, string, hooks, etc…) used to secure decorations must be removed when decorations are taken down. Use fasteners that will not peel paint or otherwise damage surfaces.
  6. Facilities is not responsible for hanging or assembling departmental decorations.
  7. Make sure trees are stable and secure to prevent from any tipping over.
  8. Avoid using scented decorations.

2) Lights:

  1. Turn off all holiday lights, including those on trees by 6 p.m. each evening or when the area is unattended.
  2. Only use lights that are approved by NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and bear recognized safety certification label, such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories)
  3. If possible, use a timer for the lights to ensure they turn off automatically at the designated time no later than 6 p.m.

3) Extension Cords:

  1. Use only UL-listed surge protectors with sufficient power rating for the number of lights of decorations connected to them.
  2. Make sure cords do not obstruct or cut across walking paths.

4) Fire Safety

  1. Ensure all electrical decorations and lights are in good working condition – inspect for frayed wires or broken bulbs before use.
  2. No candles, incense or any open flames are permitted on campus without prior approval from Environmental Health and Safety.
  3. Make sure decorations are not impeding the functionality of all Fire and Life Safety equipment in the buildings (sprinkler heads, pull stations, wall or ceiling mounted A/V devices, AEDs and Stop the bleed kits, etc…)

5) General Safety Tips

  1. Always check all decorations are securely fastened to avoid them from falling and creating hazards.
  2. Make sure to follow any additional fire safety protocols as outlined by the UNTHSC Fire Safety Manual located in the Fire Safety section on the EHS web page https://www.unthsc.edu/safety/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2023-02-Fire-Safety-Manual.pdf

By following these guidelines, you can safely enjoy your holiday decorations while maintaining a safe environment for everyone at UNTHSC.