Safety is key for office holiday decorations

‘Tis the season that holiday decorations start to show up on campus.

Electrical decorations including Christmas lights are not allowed unless they have been installed by the decorations contractor under the direction of facilities management.

Before you deck the halls, read below to brush up on what’s acceptable regarding holiday decorations on the UNMC campus.

• All decorations, including candles and decorative lighting, must comply with UNMC’s Safety Policy. UNMC departments or employees housed in hospital areas also should refer to Hospital Policy EC 07 Decorative Materials.
  
• Limited amounts of paper and other combustible decorations are OK if they are placed flat against the wall or they have been treated with a flame retardant. A certificate from a licensed applicator must be furnished.
  
• Look for flame/fire retardant/resistant decorations when you purchase new decorations. Save the packaging material for future reference.
  
• Do not drape or hang anything on doors or in such a manner that someone could get tangled up in the decorations.
  
• Do not block the view of exit signs or the fire alarm strobes.
  
• Candles are OK as long as the wicks are cut out of them.
  
• Make sure your staff knows what’s right and what’s wrong.
  
• Fiber optic Christmas trees and decorations are not allowed.
  
• Electrical decorations including Christmas lights will not be allowed unless they have been installed by the decorations contractor under the direction of facilities management. The lighting string must be double insulated or grounded and have an approval rating from either UL or Factory Mutual.

Contact UNMC Safety Manager John Hauser at 559-7315 for more information about decorations.