Posted on December 11th, 2025.

 

Holiday decorations can make a rental feel like home, especially during long winter nights in the Chicagoland area. Strings of lights, candles, and festive displays add warmth and personality to your space. Along with that cozy mood, though, comes a real responsibility to keep your unit and building safe.

 

Renters often share walls, hallways, and utilities with neighbors, so one small mistake can affect many households at once. A single overloaded outlet or unattended candle can escalate quickly in a multi-unit property. Keeping safety in mind protects not just your belongings, but also the people around you.

 

With a few smart choices, you can enjoy a bright, festive home without increasing your risk of fire. Understanding common decorating mistakes, how fire risks show up around the holidays, and how to use electrical decor safely will help you celebrate with confidence.

 

Common Holiday Decorating Mistakes

One of the biggest holiday decorating mistakes is overloading outlets and power strips. It is easy to keep plugging in more lights, inflatable décor, and plug-in scents until one outlet is handling far too much. When circuits are pushed past their rating, cords and outlets can overheat. That extra heat is a common cause of preventable electrical fires in apartments and rental homes.

 

Another issue is daisy-chaining extension cords or using cheap, lightweight cords for high-demand items. Extension cords are meant for temporary use and have limits on how much power they can handle. Plugging one into another multiplies the load on a single circuit. Instead, use one heavy-duty, UL-listed cord when truly needed, and plug as many items as possible directly into the wall.

 

Decor choices can also create fire hazards. Dried-out wreaths, paper garlands, and flimsy fabric decorations catch fire quickly if they sit next to lights, heaters, or candles. Natural Christmas trees become especially risky when they are not watered regularly, since dry needles ignite easily. Choosing flame-resistant or flame-retardant décor and keeping greenery away from heat sources lowers that risk significantly.

 

Renters sometimes forget that decorations can block vents, radiators, or baseboard heaters. When air cannot circulate correctly, heaters can overheat and nearby materials can scorch or burn. Avoid placing stockings, fabric banners, or piles of wrapping paper near any heating elements. Give vents and heaters plenty of open space so they can do their job safely.

 

Leaving decorations on when no one is home is another common mistake. Lights, plug-in displays, and scent warmers may seem harmless, but problems often start when small issues go unnoticed for hours. Getting in the habit of turning off decorations before bed or heading out reduces the chance that a minor fault becomes a serious fire.

 

Renters sometimes ignore minor warning signs like flickering lights, warm plugs, or a faint burning smell. These signs usually mean something is wrong with a cord, outlet, or device. Unplug anything that seems off, and do not use it again until it has been replaced or inspected. Acting early is always safer than hoping it will improve on its own.

 

Understanding Holiday Fire Risks

Candles are a classic part of holiday decorating, yet they are one of the most common sources of home fires during this season. A candle placed too close to curtains, fake snow, or decorations can ignite nearby materials within minutes. In apartments, that flame can spread quickly through shared spaces. If you enjoy candlelight, keep candles in sturdy holders, away from anything that can burn, and never leave them unattended.

 

Flameless LED candles are a safer option that still gives a warm glow. They are especially smart choices in units with pets or children who might bump into surfaces. Using these instead of open flames near windows, doorways, and busy areas allows you to keep the same atmosphere with much lower risk. Many options even include timers, so they switch off automatically.

 

Heaters bring another layer of risk during cold Chicago winters. Space heaters should always have a three-foot clearance on all sides, free of decorations, furniture, and bedding. Placing décor on top of a heater, or draping stockings and garlands near one, can cause those items to overheat. Always plug heaters directly into the wall, never into extension cords or power strips.

 

Fireplaces, whether gas or wood-burning, need extra care when decorating. Hanging stockings across the opening or placing décor on the mantel too close to the flame can put fabric and greenery in the direct path of heat. If your rental includes a working fireplace, confirm any rules in your lease, keep screens closed while it is in use, and keep décor safely above and away from the opening.

 

Real Christmas trees bring a specific mix of fire risks. A dry tree, combined with electric lights and indoor heat, can ignite very quickly. To lower that risk, choose a fresh tree with flexible needles, cut the trunk base before setting it up, and water it daily. Keep the tree away from radiators, space heaters, and fireplaces, and use only UL-listed lights designed for trees.

 

Working smoke alarms and, where required, carbon monoxide detectors are critical backups for these seasonal risks. Test alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year, even if they still seem fine. In a rental, report any missing or malfunctioning alarms to your landlord right away. That simple step can give everyone in the building more time to react if something goes wrong.

 

Christmas Lights and Electrical Safety

Holiday lights are often the centerpiece of seasonal décor, so choosing and using them wisely matters. Always look for UL or similar safety labels, and check whether each strand is rated for indoor, outdoor, or dual use. Outdoor-rated lights are built to handle moisture and temperature changes better, which is important in Chicago’s cold, snowy conditions.

 

Before you hang any lights, inspect every strand for damage. Look for cracked sockets, frayed insulation, loose bulbs, or exposed wires. If a strand shows any of these signs, replace it instead of trying to repair it with tape. A few dollars on new lights is far less costly than dealing with damage from an electrical fire.

 

When connecting light strands, follow the manufacturer’s guidance on how many sets can be linked together safely. Many packages recommend connecting no more than three standard strands end to end. If you want a larger display, divide the lights between multiple outlets or use separate extension cords rated for the total load. Modern LED lights draw less power and stay cooler, which makes them a safer option for bigger displays.

 

How and where you run cords affects safety too. Avoid pinching cords in windows, under doors, or beneath heavy furniture, as crushed insulation can expose wires. Use plastic clips rather than metal nails or staples to secure lights, since metal can pierce insulation and create shock or fire hazards. Keep cords away from walking paths to prevent tripping and tugging on plugs.

 

Outdoor setups need special attention. Plug exterior lights into GFCI outlets whenever possible, which shut off power if they sense a fault. Keep connections off the ground, away from puddles and snowdrifts, and use outdoor-rated extension cords. Check cords regularly throughout the season, especially after storms or heavy winds, to make sure they remain secure and undamaged.

 

Consider using timers or smart plugs to control your lights. Automated shut-off prevents displays from running all night or while you are away, which lowers fire risk and saves energy. Building these habits into your holiday setup means you do not have to rely on memory after long days or late gatherings.

 

Related: How to Keep Your Chicago Rental Pipes from Freezing

 

Staying Safe While You Celebrate

Holiday decorations should add joy to your rental, not worry. With a bit of planning and attention to detail, you can enjoy a festive home while keeping your household and neighbors safe from preventable fires. Simple choices, like using LED lights, watering real trees, and turning décor off when you leave, make a bigger difference than most people realize.

 

At Rent 5469 LLC, we care about helping renters enjoy their homes comfortably and safely throughout the year. We understand how important it is for your space to feel inviting during the holidays, and we encourage thoughtful, fire-conscious decorating in every unit. Safe habits today protect both your belongings and the wider community of residents around you.

 

Smart renters plan ahead—Not just for safety, but for finding the right space too. Join our email list to get the latest rental opportunities delivered straight to your inbox, so your next home is both safe and stress-free.

 

Connect with us at (312) 752-3169 or drop us an email at [email protected]. Our hands-on approach ensures your journey to finding a home is as delightful as celebrating it.