Important Do's and Don'ts for Flying the American Flag

Fly Your Flag Regularly ... and Correctly ... Here's How!

Important Do's  

• It is the universal custom to display the national flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open, but it should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement. The U.S. flag may be displayed at night upon special occasions when it is desired to produce a patriotic effect.
• Display the U.S. flag on all days that weather permits, but especially on national and state holidays and other days that may be proclaimed by the President of the United States. On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag should be half-staffed until noon.
• The U.S. flag should be displayed on or near the main building of every public institution, during school days in or near every schoolhouse, and in or near every polling place on election days.
• Always hoist the U.S. flag briskly. Lower it ceremoniously.
• When the U.S. flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by fire, privately. 

Important Don'ts  

• Never in any way should any disrespect be shown the U.S. flag.
• The U.S. flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are dipped as a mark of honor.
• The U.S. flag should never touch anything beneath it - ground, floor, water or merchandise.
• The U.S. flag should never be carried horizontally, but always aloft and free.
• Always allow the U.S. flag to fall free - never use the U.S. flag as drapery, festooned, drawn back, or up in folds. For draping platforms and decoration in general, use blue, white, and red bunting. Always arrange the bunting with blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below.
• The U.S. flag should never be fastened, displayed used or stored in a manner which will permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way.
• Never use the U.S. flag as a covering or drape for a ceiling.
• Never place anything on the U.S. flag. The U.S. flag should never have placed upon it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature.
• Never use the U.S. flag for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.
• The U.S. flag should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, and the like, printed or otherwise impressed paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard; or used as any portion of a costume or athletic uniform. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.