Lighting & Decorations

Whether it is for the holidays or simply to spruce up your living or work environment, it is crucial to adhere to fire safety guidelines when it comes to the use of lightning and decorations. 

The UMass community is prohibited from covering, obstructing, and tampering with any fire safety device or component, including smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual fire alarm pull stations, fire alarm control panels, sprinklers, and pipes. Extinguisher cabinets, emergency lights, and exit lights must not be covered at any time.

Learn more about Event Safety.

Residence Hall Decoration Guidelines

• UMass Housing Residents are responsible for complying with the fire safety policies outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Additional information is also available in the Residence Hall & University Village Policies.
• Candles and incense, lit or unlit, are not permitted in any residence hall or apartment complex. Safe alternatives include flashlights and battery-operated candles.
• Natural trees, wreaths, corn stalks, hay, or other live decorations are fire hazards and are not permitted on doors or in rooms, suites, or apartments.

Additional decoration guidelines are provided below and apply to both residential space and office/work areas.

General Decoration Guidelines

• Corn stalks, leaves, and hay are combustible materials and are not permitted to be used as decoration
• Paper and plastic may be used sparingly in rooms, hallways, and corridors, but are not permitted in stairwells.
• The following decorations are permissible, but must be labeled, "fire-proof", "fire-resistant", or "flame-proof":
  • Garland, artificial trees, wreaths, tinsel, crape paper, streamers
• Lighting is permissible, however the original packaging should have a testing lab seal of approval. Lighting is prohibited on metallic trees. Holiday lights shall be turned off while unattended.
• Candles are discouraged from all locations. Safe alternatives, such as flashlights & battery-operated candles. 
  • Candles are prohibited in all residence halls.