Are Christmas Decorations in Communal Areas a Fire Risk? Here's the Truth

Christmas decorations can make a residential block feel warmer, brighter and more welcoming. A tree in the entrance, a few lights along a wall and a cheerful noticeboard can create a genuine sense of community.

But are Christmas decorations in communal areas a fire risk?

Real decorations are rarely the problem by themselves. The risk comes when they block an escape route, interfere with a fire door, sit close to a heat source or create an electrical hazard.

This is not about banning festive spirit. It is about keeping shared areas safe while finding sensible ways to make your building feel vibrant at Christmas.

The simple rule: escape routes come first

Communal corridors, landings, lobbies and stairwells are not ordinary living spaces. They are designed to help residents leave the building and allow firefighters to reach it.

That means the most useful rule of thumb is:

Shared areas are escape routes first and living space second. Keep them clear.

A decoration may look small and harmless in daylight. However, in an emergency, smoke, darkness and stress can make even a modest obstacle difficult to see or avoid.

A Christmas tree, tinsel, wreath, gift display or cable can also add combustible material to a protected route. Some housing providers therefore do not permit any decorations in communal corridors or stairwells. Others allow carefully managed displays in specific locations.

Your building’s fire risk assessment, management policy and the instructions from your managing agent should always be followed.

What actually creates a Christmas decoration risk?

Most problems come from where decorations are placed, rather than from the decorations themselves.

Common examples include:

• Decorations narrowing a corridor or landing

• Trees or displays positioned in front of exits

• Real candles or tea lights in shared spaces

• Wreaths hung over fire doors or door closers

• Lights placed against curtains, paper or cardboard

• Damaged cables or overloaded extension leads

• Cables trailing across walkways or under doors

• Decorations preventing fire doors from closing fully

• Real trees positioned close to heaters or communal electrical cupboards

For instance, a wreath placed on a wall well away from a doorway may be perfectly harmless. The same wreath hung over a fire door’s closing mechanism could stop the door from working properly.

That small difference in position matters.

Fire doors must be able to close properly

Fire doors are among the most important safety features in a block of flats. They help contain fire and smoke, protecting escape routes and giving residents valuable time to leave.

A fire door that will not close is the single biggest compromise in a block’s fire protection.

The problem is often surprisingly ordinary. A resident hangs a wreath over the door closer, attaches a decoration to the door or places a display where it catches against the door as it closes.

The door may still look fine. It may even appear to shut most of the way. But if it does not close fully into its frame, it may not provide the protection it was designed to give.

Please do not:

• Hang wreaths, garlands or ornaments from a fire door

• Attach decorations to a door closer

• Wedge a fire door open

• Place a tree, table or display where it obstructs the door

• Stick decorations over safety signs or door labels

If you are unsure whether a door is a fire door, it is best not to decorate it. A nearby safe wall or approved noticeboard is a much better option.

You can read more about why keeping communal areas clear matters in our guide to communal areas and fire safety in blocks of flats.

Use lights carefully, even when they are LEDs

Low-voltage LED lights are generally a sensible choice for a festive communal display. They use less energy and tend to produce less heat than older types of lighting.

However, LED does not mean risk-free.

Before reusing lights, check the entire cable for cuts, exposed wires, loose connections or signs of heat damage. If anything looks worn, replace the lights rather than trying to repair them with tape.

Cables should be:

• Neatly secured along a wall

• Kept away from doors and door closers

• Kept away from heaters and radiators

• Positioned so nobody can trip over them

• Kept away from cardboard, paper and fabric

• Switched off when the display is unattended, unless the approved arrangement says otherwise

Do not run cables across communal corridors or under doors. Do not overload sockets, and never daisy chain extension leads by plugging one extension lead into another.

A neat, modest display is usually safer than a spectacular one. Christmas should bring a little sparkle, not a cable management challenge.

Real candles should not be used in communal areas

Real candles and tea lights should not be used in communal areas at all.

A naked flame can be knocked over, left unattended or placed too close to tinsel, paper, fabric or a Christmas tree. Communal areas also have more foot traffic than a private home, making accidental contact more likely.

For an entrance display or residents’ event, choose LED candles instead. They can create a warm, welcoming effect without introducing an open flame.

The same approach applies to incense burners, oil burners and other flame-based decorations. If it burns, it does not belong in a communal escape route.

Trees and larger decorations need extra thought

A Christmas tree can make a shared entrance feel welcoming, but its position is crucial.

If your building permits a communal tree, it should be placed only in an approved, clearly defined location. Keep it well away from:

• Fire doors and exit routes

• Radiators, heaters and other heat sources

• Communal electrical cupboards

• Staircases and narrow passageways

• Doorways and areas with heavy foot traffic

A real tree should be kept watered. As it dries out, it can become much more easily ignited. A stable base is also essential, particularly in an entrance where people may be carrying shopping, parcels or pushchairs.

A real tree in a communal area should only be used where the arrangement has been considered and approved by the responsible person or managing agent. In some blocks, an artificial fire-retardant tree may be the preferred option. In others, the safest policy may be no communal tree at all.

The answer is not the same for every building. Good management means considering the actual layout, residents, materials and fire safety arrangements rather than applying a decoration policy by guesswork.

What should you do if you see something risky?

If you notice a decoration that appears to block an escape route, interfere with a fire door or create an electrical hazard, report it to your managing agent, freeholder or building management contact.

Please do not remove a neighbour’s decorations yourself. Even if your concern is reasonable, moving someone else’s property can create an unnecessary dispute.

Instead, provide a clear description of:

• Where the decoration is

• What appears to be obstructed

• Whether a fire door is affected

• Whether cables are trailing or damaged

• Whether the issue needs urgent attention

For an immediate danger, such as smoke, fire or exposed live wiring, leave the area safely and contact the appropriate emergency service.

A professional managing agent can inspect the arrangement, check the building’s policy and explain what needs to change. Clear communication usually resolves these issues far more smoothly than a corridor debate about whose wreath is the most festive.

Safer ways to make a block feel festive

A safe Christmas display does not need to be dull. There are plenty of ways to create warmth and a sense of belonging without compromising communal safety.

Consider:

• A residents’ tree in a marked safe spot

• A shared noticeboard with seasonal messages

• LED lighting fixed neatly along an approved wall

• Festive planting near, but not across, entrance routes

• A small display in a communal lounge that is not an escape route

• Resident-made cards displayed on a suitable board

• A seasonal welcome message from the RMC or managing agent

The best displays are intentional. They have a defined location, use safe materials and leave doors, corridors and stairs completely clear.

This is where thoughtful block management makes a significant difference. Residents can enjoy a brighter, more welcoming building, while investors, freeholders and RMC directors can have greater peace of mind that safety has not been overlooked.

A short note in November can prevent almost every problem

For leaseholders and RMC directors, one simple step can make the festive season much easier: place a short notice in the entrance hall in late November.

Explain:

• Where decorations can be placed

• Which areas must remain clear

• That real candles are not permitted in communal areas

• That fire doors and door closers must not be decorated

• Who residents should contact with questions or concerns

A friendly message issued early is much better than a last-minute instruction to remove decorations after they have already been installed.

Christmas decorations do not have to be a source of conflict. With a little planning, your building can feel festive, generous and welcoming while keeping its escape routes clear and its fire doors fully effective.

That is a bright standard for communal living: a building that looks cared for, feels like home and keeps residents’ safety at the heart of every decision.

Further guidance

For general fire-safety information, see the Home Office guidance on fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats and GOV.UK Christmas fire-safety guidance.

London Fire Brigade also provides practical advice about Christmas trees and fire safety.