Many churches see an increase in attendance at Christmas. If your congregation plans to celebrate Christmas with a festive holiday service this year, be prepared for the risks that come with increased attendance and seasonal décor. You can minimize the risk of an accident at your church with our Christmas Safety Advisory.
Christmastime claims are like those we see most often the rest of the year, with an increase in the number of claims as churches are more active. We see an increase in fires (many of them electrical), water damage and slips and falls.
Keep your holiday service full of joy by being aware of the three most common losses and know how to reduce your risk with our Christmas Safety Advisory.
Fire Prevention -Christmas Safety Advisory -Trees
- According to the National Fire Protection Association, 25% of Christmas tree fires begin with a heat source, such as a candle or equipment, too close to the tree.
- If your Christmas tree is underwatered, a flashover can happen in less than one minute.
- Fill the tree stand with water daily to prevent drying out a live tree.
- Keep the tree at minimum three feet away from a heat source.
- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the “fire resistant” label. This label indicates that the tree is less likely to burn and can be extinguished quickly if it catches fire.
Fire Prevention -Christmas Safety Advisory – Lights
- Use lights [indoor or outdoor] that are labeled with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark. This UL mark means that engineers have tested samples of the product for possible safety hazards, such as fire and electric shock.
- Be sure lights used outdoors are labeled as certified for outdoor use.
- Always check each light set for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.
- Test the lights on a nonflammable surface by plugging them in for 10 to 15 minutes to check for melting, smoking or overheating.
- Any damaged sets should be discarded.
Fire Prevention – Christmas Safety Advisory –Decorative Candles
- Consider using non-flammable holders for candles.
- Also consider a flame-free alternative such as LEDs, glow sticks or battery-operated candle lights.
- Never leave burning candles unattended.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from any material that can burn.
- Use good quality, slow burning candles.
- Do not place burning candles place near window treatments, draperies, decorative foliage or other combustible materials.
- Prevent rapid/uneven burning and excessive dripping by avoiding drafts, vents or air currents.
- Designate one individual for extinguishing and checking all candles during the holiday season.
- Collect and store all candles in non-combustible containers.
- Keep combustibles and candles away from children.
Preventing Water Damage -Christmas Safety Advisory
Frozen Pipes -a leading cause of water damage and property loss during this time of year.
- Review The Cold, Hard Facts About Frozen Pipes, and take steps to prepare your building for winter weather.
- Between services, set the thermostat to at least 50 degrees or shut off the water and drain the system when the building will not be in use.
- Consider installing a water leak detector in your church such as Water Hero or Flo Logic.
Puddles & Leaks
- Closely monitor building entrances for melting snow and ice; promptly dry if water has collected.
- Be sure mats are in place and replaced if they become waterlogged.
- Conduct inspections for water leaks from appliances, windows, doors, or roofs, which can cause additional safety hazards or property damage.
- Make any necessary repairs as soon as possible.
Preventing Slips and Falls -Christmas Safety Advisory
Decorations
- Keep extension cords out of walkways.
- Do not place cords under rugs or furniture.
- “Each year, about 4,000 injuries associated with electric extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms,” says the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). “50% of these injuries involve fractures, lacerations, contusions, or sprains from people tripping over extension cords.
- Close areas with uneven ground or areas strung with holiday lights.
- Be careful not to redirect foot traffic to other slip and trip hazards. (For example, re-routing sidewalk traffic that requires a user to step off the curb into a parking lot.)
- Secure any Christmas trees in stable stands and do not obstruct walkways or emergency exits.
Dim Lights
- If your church darkens its lighting for presentations, provide sufficient lighting for visibility to prevent trips and falls.
- Remove tripping hazards such as buckled rugs, loose cables or cords from walkways and aisles.
- Provide a light switch at the top and the bottom of the stairs or keep the lights on during hours of potential use.
Snow & Ice Removal
- De-ice walkways to entrances by applying products.
- Have snow and ice removal equipment ready to be used when needed.
- Identify walking surfaces that may be susceptible to runoff from roofs, downspouts, and other areas, as ice could develop here.
- Before cold weather, work with staff to establish a snow and ice removal plan.
We thank Southern Mutual Church Insurance for their information.
We thank GuideOne for their information.
We thank the National Fire Protection Association for this information https://www.nfpa.org/
See also Food Safety in your Church Kitchen for more Christmas Safety Advisory