Safe Holiday Decorating Tips for Senior Living Communities

Senior Living communities continually strive to provide a clean, calm and home-like atmosphere especially during the holiday season. This year has been particularly challenging for our senior residents and communities will want to make the holiday season merrier and brighter. In doing so, it is important to decorate with safety in mind.

While decorating, remember:

• Highly flammable items such as corn stalks, hay bales and cut evergreens should not to be used inside the facility or under outdoor canopies or overhangs.
• Electrical holiday decorations should be inspected by the Maintenance Department prior to use in the facility.
•  Artificial trees and wreaths should be flame-retardant and labeled by an approved testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratory.
• Do not suspend decorations from the ceiling, ceiling tiles, ceiling fixtures, sprinkler heads or smoke detectors, as they constitute a fire hazard.
• Do not place decorations within 18 inches of a sprinkler head; within 36 inches of portable fire extinguishers, exit signs, pull stations, fire alarm strobes, fire hose cabinets, smoke detectors; and within three feet of electrical equipment or other heat producing sources.
• Ensure all work areas, exit access corridors and hallways are open, clear, and provide an unobstructed egress.
• Ensure decorations do not obstruct or interfere with any line of sight visibility of approved exit signs and exit routes.
• Ensure decorations do not obstruct lights, light switches, or electrical outlets.
•  Ensure decorative items are secured in a manner to prevent against becoming dislodged or falling.

Most importantly, communicate your holiday decorations policy and procedures to all staff and ensure compliance. Best wishes for a festive, safe holiday season.

For more information on safe community policies and procedures, contact the AssuredPartners Senior Living team.