Holiday Office Decor

The beginning of December is an exciting time since it marks the beginning of the holiday season! Before you know it you get a break from school or work, get to see your family, eat great food, exchange gifts and the holiday fun continues until New Years!

Some offices enjoy decorating and even throwing parties for their employees. This is a great way to spread some holiday cheer. Although these are happy occasions it is important to be mindful of potential safety hazards. 

When decorating your work-space, keep some of the fire safety tips in mind:

• Do not use any decoration that has an open flame
• Don't place staples or nails through strings of lights
• Don't connect too many strands of lights together
• If decorating outside of the office, be sure to use lights for exterior use
• Turn off all illuminated items when the office is closed (put someone in charge of this task to avoid confusion)
• Before beginning to decorate, verify that all of your fire safety equipment is in proper working order (this includes smoke detectors and fire extinguishers)
• Think carefully before using extension cords to connect lights or other decorations
• Avoid placing trees, gifts, or freestanding decorations in heavily trafficked areas where people might run into or trip over them 
• Make sure your decor does not compromise people’s ability to exit the workplace in case of an  emergency
• Don't place decorative items in exit corridors, in front of exit signage, or on fire safety equipment including sprinkler head

And remember to keep all relevant OSHA regulations in mind when planning your office and party decor! By following a few simple safety tips, it's easy to enjoy festive holiday decorations and events at work without having to deal with injuries or property damage.