by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The Christmas has arrived and the New Year is hot on its heels and many families across the globe will be enjoying time for togetherness, good will and holiday cheer. However, along with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays come some unfortunate but easily avoidable safety hazards.
Below are some simple safety tips to ensure a very happy and healthy holiday for all.
Christmas trees, candles and many other traditional items adorn virtually every home during the Christmas festivities, often well into the New Year. While those festive decorations are beautiful they can also become a serious fire hazard when used incorrectly.
To make it a safe season we offer the following tips to help avoid the potential fire risks that holiday decorations may pose.
It may seem obvious, but when selecting a Christmas tree it is best to select one that is very fresh and green. An old, dry tree can catch fire more easily than a fresh one. When placing the tree in the home, it should not be anywhere near a heat source such as a fireplace or space heater. Watering the tree frequently to keep it from becoming dry for as long as possible is very important to remember. Therefore get a tree stand where watering is, actually, possible. Many of the cheaper and older kinds don't have that facility.
Decorative holiday lights should be inspected before use to ensure that the wire is in good condition. Lights that have cracks, kinks, wear, or bare spots on the wire should be disposed. It is important to inspect each socket of the string lights to make sure that no sockets are cracked or broken, and that each one contains a bulb. Open sockets are considered a fire hazard and can cause injury when handled. Only lights that have been listed by an approved testing laboratory should be used. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations for use and avoiding the overload any outlet should also not be overlooked. As beautiful as they are, resisting the temptation to leave lights on all the time should be seriously considered. Holiday lights should always be turned off when they will be unattended.
If at all possible I would suggest the purchase of new lights, and LEDs in this case, as LEDs are cooler lights. But the warnings and such about the wiring still applies.
If at all possible DO NOT use real candles on a tree and NEVER, and I mean NEVER, leave real candles burning on the tree unattended.
Keeping all gifts, decorations and other combustible materials away from heaters and other warming devices is advised. As always, lit candles should be handled with caution and kept in a secure holder on a stable surface . Unattended lit candles are a serious accident waiting to happen.
Remembering to have operational smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers properly installed in the home is especially important this time of year. Following these safety tips can help keep this season memorable for the right reasons and keep loved ones safe during this special time of year.
Be safe and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012.
© 2011
