Safe decorating
As decorations go up all around campus this holiday season, the MCG Fire Safety Office points out special precautions to ensure safety and compliance with regulations:
- All lighting and decorations must be UL approved and maintained in
good condition.
- Decorations, including Christmas trees, may not block exit doors or
obstruct exit signage from any point in a corridor or access way.
Decorations may hang on walls or ledges, but not extend across corridors
and may not create a tripping hazard.
- Extension cords must be a surge protector in good repair. Approved
extension cords may be purchased from the Facilities Management
Division.
- Electrically powered decorations must be disconnected when areas are
unsupervised. Electric timers should be used in 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. work
areas.
- Electrical lights are not permitted on decorations, except
artificial Christmas trees.
- Lighted candles, pyrotechnics and open flames are not permitted.
- No live or cut Christmas trees are permitted inside buildings.
- UL-approved artificial trees are permitted if placement, lighting,
decorations and monitoring rules are adhered to.
- Light strings must be low-wattage, insert-type bulbs. Screw-in type
bulbs are prohibited. Electric lights are not permitted on metallic
trees.
- Decorations should be removed the day after the holiday. Christmas decorations should be removed by Dec. 31.
For assistance or questions concerning regulations, contact James C. "Jimmy" Murray Jr., safety manager, Fire Safety Office, at CI-1014 or ext. 1-2663.