Are Your Church Christmas Decorations a Fire Hazard?
November 30, 2016
Churches seldom look more beautiful than when they're decorated for the holidays. Candles, lights, and greenery add splendor to the celebration of Christ's birth. Unfortunately, they also contribute to a number of fires each December. As you haul out the decorations, remember to balance beauty with safety. Here are some common questions people ask about holiday decoration safety.
Are Live Trees Okay in Churches?
Before deciding to use live trees in your church, contact your local or state fire marshal’s office. Some fire codes restrict the use of cut trees in holiday displays. If it’s okay for churches in your area to use live evergreens, here are some guidelines to follow:
- Buy a freshly cut tree. Needles should feel soft and springy and shouldn't fall off.
- Cut one inch off the bottom of the trunk and place the tree in a sturdy, large-capacity stand with plenty of water.
- Keep the tree moist. Dry evergreens can ignite quickly if they're exposed to heat, electrical sparks, or open flames.
- Display your tree no longer than 14 days.
Are Our Christmas Lights Still Safe to Use?
After years of use, the wiring powering holiday lights can become damaged. Before hanging any lights, check all electrical decorations for fraying or exposed wires. If defects are found, cut off the plug and discard the decoration. Here are some other suggestions:
- Use tree lights and holiday lighting approved and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company, such as Underwriters Laboratories.
- Turn off all holiday lighting when the building is vacant.
- Never use staples or nails to secure the wiring of outdoor lights.
- Don't link more than three light strands together, unless package directions indicate it's safe.
- Be careful not to overload outlets and extension cords.
Can We Still Use Real Candles in Church?
Today, you can find flickering LED candles that look, feel, and even smell like traditional wax candles. We recommend using them predominantly, because they’re the safest option. But we understand that LED lights can’t always capture the magic of a dancing flame. If you go with traditional candles, use them carefully and sparingly.
- Place them in sturdy candleholders.
- Keep candles at least a foot away from anything that could burn.
- Make sure they’re out of falling distance from any live or artificial Christmas tree.
- Extinguish all candles when leaving the sanctuary. Don’t forget!
If you’re looking for more fire safety tips, the U.S. Fire Administration offers advice on holiday fire prevention, including this infographic and video clip.
- October 27, 2020
- Self-Defense or Second-Degree Murder?
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On October 10, 2020, in Denver, Colorado, a 30-year-old private security guard who was hired to protect a Denver news crew while covering protests was involved in a deadly shooting that claimed the life of a 49-year-old man.
- October 1, 2020
- Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness
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Organizations that obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding through the CARES Act can have their loans forgiven, turning them into grants. To qualify, each borrower must file a forgiveness application with its PPP lender, proving that it followed the rules. If your church, school, college, or camp meets all the criteria, 100% of its loan can be forgiven.
- August 27, 2020
- Emergency Dispatch: Cameron Peak
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Lessons learned from the front line of a wildland fire.
- August 20, 2020
- Colorado Wildfires: Prepare Your Ministry Now
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Four major wildfires are burning across Colorado, fueled by dry vegetation, drought and wind.
- April 13, 2020
- Beware of COVID-19 Cyber Scams
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Ministries are creatively scrambling to continue their operations and safely engage their congregations with an array of online technologies during the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, hackers are ready to take advantage of the confusion with scams designed to steal valuable data or siphon funds from your ministry. Learn how to keep your ministry safe from scams.
- March 30, 2020
- CARES Act: Churches Need to Apply Now
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Learn about the CARES Act and two loans for which ministries may be eligible, since Congress authorized additional funding April 23.
- March 6, 2020
- Coronavirus and Your Ministry: Tips for Prevention
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As concern over the dangers associated with the spread of a new coronavirus, COVID-19, spreads, our agency and Brotherhood Mutual want to keep you informed and provide best practices for managing the spread of this and similar illnesses at your ministry.
- January 29, 2020
- Hosting a Game Day Bash? Brush Up on Copyright Basics
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The first Sunday in February is a big day for sports fans. In fact, many Americans view Super Bowl Sunday as a national holiday. Friends and families will gather this year to watch the big game, enjoy delicious snacks, and of course, critique the commercials that go along with game day.
- October 28, 2019
- Are You Covered If You're Injured Overseas?
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Recently, we learned about two major overseas incidents involving pastors on mission trips. The first incident involved a pastor being hit by a motorcycle while running. The second was a bus accident involving two pastors. The runner and one of the two bus passengers sustained extensive injuries.
- September 1, 2019
- IRS Announces More Church Audits Regarding ACA Compliance
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Last month, the IRS announced that its initiating hundreds of church exams to test compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While many provisions only apply to churches with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), even smaller churches could potentially violate provisions applicable to health benefit plans with as few as 2 plan participants.
- August 15, 2019
- Record Breaking Hailstorm Hits Colorado
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On Tuesday, August 15, 2019, a record-breaking hailstorm struck multiple areas throughout the state of Colorado.
- July 3, 2019
- Celebrate Safely This Independence Day
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July 4th is synonymous with food, fun, and fireworks. If your church is planning an event this Independence Day, remember to keep a focus on safety, so that everyone can have fun.
- June 28, 2019
- Insurance is one of those things we forget about until we need it
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National Insurance Awareness Day falls on June 28 this year to remind people everywhere that insurance is vital to their companies and ministries.
- June 24, 2019
- June 23-29 is Lightning Safety Awareness Week
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Summertime across the country means barbecues, carnivals, sporting events, boating, hitting the beach and many other recreational activities. In short, summertime means a lot more people are spending time in the great outdoors. But summer is also the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena--lightning.
- May 8, 2019
- Protect Your People & Property During Hailstorms
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According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hail causes about $1 billion in damage to crops and property each year. Prepare your ministry and people for hail this season.
- April 30, 2019
- Measles Cases Reach Record-Breaking Numbers
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More than 700 confirmed cases of measles have been reported in the United States so far this year, making this outbreak the worst in decades.
- April 15, 2019
- April 14 -20 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Colorado
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As winter turns to spring, we’re also in for a turn in weather. Lightning, strong winds, flash flooding, hail, or tornadoes could quickly strike your ministry. The National Weather Service has designated April 14-20, 2019, as Severe Awareness Week in Colorado.
- April 8, 2019
- Vehicle Registration Guidelines for Ministries
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Do you use commercial vehicles that transport more than 15 passengers or carry cargo from one state to another as part of your ministry? If so, you are required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and obtain a USDOT number.
- June 1, 2018
- June Is National Safety Month - Week 1: Emergency Preparedness
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The National Safety Council has designated June as National Safety Month, so we want to make sure your ministry is doing everything it can to protect its people, property, and programs. Each week in June, we’ll tackle a different topic. Up this week: Emergency Preparedness.
- April 18, 2018
- Collect Online Donations? This New Scam Targets You
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There’s a new scam in town, and ministries and other organizations collecting donations are the primary target. If your ministry collects tithes or donations, you could be targeted by scammers practicing donation overpayment fraud.