Trees & Wreaths

Live trees and wreathes must be treated with fire-retardant chemicals or flocked commercially. The owner of the tree or wreath must have a sales receipt or certification document indicating the application of fire retardant material from the firm that applied the fire retardant chemicals or flocking. We recommend that lights not be put on live trees or wreaths. If lights are used, they must be low intensity Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed or Factory Mutual (FM) approved light sets. Other decorations are allowed on flocked or fire retardant-treated trees and wreaths.

Artificial trees and wreaths may have decorations and lights. If lights are used, they shall be UL listed or FM approved light sets. We recommend using low intensity lights and unplugging the lights when not attended. 

Extension cords may be used with Christmas lights under the following guidelines:

Extension cords must be the physical size of or larger than appliance cord.

Extension cords may not be over 6 feet in length. 

Extension cords must have only one device plugged into them.

Extension cords may not pass under rugs, be in high traffic areas, or extend through walls or doorways, or windows. They must be UL listed or FM approved. 

An electrical multi-plug strip with a 15-amp circuit breaker may be used with Christmas lights. The multi-plug adapters must not be interconnected with extension cords or other multi-plug adapters. Light sets are to be plugged directly into the multi-plug adapter. 

In schools, day care centers, pre-schools, and care facilities, all trees and wreaths must be artificial and carry a UL or FM label or tag. Low intensity UL listed or FM approved lights may be used.

Other Decorations in Most Public Buildings

Combustible decorative materials including but not limited to cotton batting, paper, foam plastics, cloth, vegetation, moss, straw, hay, vines, split bamboo, leaves and similar material in assembly buildings are not permitted. The decorations in educational buildings and wholesale and retail stores shall be made of material that is flame retardant.

Candles

The use of hand-held flame-lighted candles is not permitted. Candles are to be used in conjunction with approved apparatus (i.e., candelabras). Candles and open flames shall not be used on or near a tree or within a distance equal to the height of the tree.