Noel Decor
by Constance Berneking, posted Dec. 7, 2008

With Thanksgiving over and Christmas just a few weeks away, MU students are anxious to take their finals and head home. But for the meantime, there are many ways for students to show their Christmas spirit right here on campus.

“My favorite holiday decorations are Christmas lights,” said Kyler Moorman, a freshman. Christmas lights, construction paper snowflakes or ornaments and miniature Christmas trees can bring a holiday feel to dorm rooms.

Tiger Garden is offering on-site holiday decorating services for homes and offices. They can set up Christmas trees, wreaths and other decorative items.

“We can bring our decorations or use what they already have,” said Clint Klipsel, assistant manger of Tiger Garden.

If you just want a simple wreath, poinsettia or flower arrangement to display in your room, these are also available.

MU Environmental Health and Safety has some guidelines with which holiday decorations must be in accordance:

• All natural trees and evergreen boughs set up in University facilities are to be sprayed with a fire retardant material.
• The tree must not be placed near a stairway, radiator, exit, hallway, or any other location where the tree, if standing or fallen, would block an escape route or signage.
• Never leave Christmas tree lights on unless someone is in the area where the tree is located or the tree is visible to someone at all times.
• Avoid use of electrical extension cords if possible and never use them for periods exceeding 30 days. o If you own or plan on purchasing an artificial holiday tree, check to make sure it is marked "U.L. Listed" and labeled "Fire Resistant."
• All trees and decorations in residence halls and family student housing must be disposed of before the Christmas vacation begins on Dec. 14
• Do not put trees in dumpsters or outside on the curb, in the yard, or other locations.

If a live tree is what you’re looking for this season, EHS recommends purchasing it from the MU Forestry Club. They pre-spray the trees with a fire retardant chemical and tag them for free. The trees will be on sale from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 4 to 7, at Faurot Field.

The rest of the recommendations and guidelines can be found on the MU Environmental Heath and Safety Web site, ehs.missouri.edu/fire/holiday-decorations.html.

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