The lawyer warned about a possible fine for placing a garland

From the point of view of fire safety, any decorative electrical appliances are a potential source of risk. Therefore, before decorating a house with garlands, you need to understand where their placement is really prohibited and how you can protect yourself. Sofia Lukinova, Head of the Legal Department of VMT Consult, told Izvestia about this on November 24.

"It is forbidden to place garlands on objects and surfaces that belong to areas of increased fire danger. These include escape routes and exits — stairwells, common corridors, entrance doors to the entrance, public balconies," the lawyer warned.

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Garlands should not be installed on the facade of an apartment building if the structure does not meet fire safety requirements or was carried out without the approval of the management organization. The ban also applies to common property: railings, mailboxes, flaps, electrical distribution cabinets. In private homes, the requirements are somewhat milder, but the general principle is the same — no equipment on evacuation routes or near flammable materials.

The first and main rule is to use only certified products designed for residential or outdoor use. The cord, connections, and power supply must be in good working order, with no signs of overheating or damage. The garland should be connected through a serviceable outlet, and not through tees of questionable quality.

In an apartment building, it is better to limit yourself to placing decorations inside your apartment, without wiring the common property: these are the cases that most often cause complaints and, consequently, inspections.

"If we are talking about a private house, the approach should be even stricter. Wooden structures, unprotected roof sections, and old electrical networks all increase the risk of a short circuit. Fire safety should always be above aesthetics," the specialist said.

Earlier, on November 14, Salkin said that Russians could be fined for using garlands placed on the exterior walls of apartment buildings. According to the lawyer, if such a garland is left unattended, residents may face a fine of 5,000 to 15,000 rubles for violating fire safety requirements.

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