Safety During the Holidays--Decorations

Tips for Tuesday

The holidays are fast approaching. Along with them, are the stresses for preparations. Among these is decorating the house. While not as dangerous as it used to be with live trees and hot lights, there are still risks involved.

Decorating
• Choose decorations made with flame-resistant materials.
• Keep candles away from combustible materials, including trees.
• Never leave candles burning unattended in a room.
• Use non-breakable ornaments in homes with small children and pets.
• Keep trimmings with small pieces out of the reach of small children.

Trees
• Purchase artificial trees that are fire resistant.
• If purchasing a live tree, check for freshness and keep it watered. Cut several inches off the bottom of the trunk for better water absorption.
• Place trees away from heating sources such as radiators or fireplaces.
• Make sure the stand is steady so the tree doesn't tip. If you have carpeting, place a board under the stand.

Lights
• Don't use electric lights on metallic trees.
• Before hanging lights outside, check to make sure they are for outside use.
• Don't use nails or tacks to hold up lights. Use plastic clips instead.
• Look for burnt out bulbs and frayed wires before hanging lights.
• Plug all outdoor lights into ground fault circuit interrupters.
• Turn off outside lights during rain or snowstorms.
• Turn off all lights before going to bed.
• Use heavy gauge extension cords.