Thanksgiving is over, December has arrived, and I'm sure everyone is itching to decorate for Christmas. I know I am!
Even with all the winter cheer in the air, safety still has to play a role in your holidays. Keep reading for tips regarding all aspects of decorating and safety!
Trees and ornaments:
- If you decide to go with an artificial tree, look for a "fire resistant" label. This doesn't guarantee the tree won't catch fire, but it means the tree won't burn as quickly and should be easier to extinguish.
- If you go with a live tree, get one that is as fresh as possible. The fresher it is, the more moisture it has, therefore making it less flammable.
- Whether the tree is real or artificial, place it away from all heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, etc.
- If you have children in your home, try to use flame resistant and non toxic materials to trim your tree. These can be very dangerous if ingested.
Lighting:
- Always use lights that meet safety standards through rigorous testing. The lights should have this marked somewhere on the packaging.
- Aways check your strands of lighting for broken or damaged sockets, of frayed/damaged wires. DO NOT use them if there is damage of any kind.
- Turn off all lights when you leave the house or go to bed. The lights could short out and ignite.
- Before hanging outdoor lights, make sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
- Never use more than three sets of lights per extension cord/outlet.
And before you do ANY decorating, make sure your smoke/fire alarms work. Now is not the time to risk your safety and the safety of your home!
Happy Holidays and happy decorating!
Even with all the winter cheer in the air, safety still has to play a role in your holidays. Keep reading for tips regarding all aspects of decorating and safety!
Trees and ornaments:
- If you decide to go with an artificial tree, look for a "fire resistant" label. This doesn't guarantee the tree won't catch fire, but it means the tree won't burn as quickly and should be easier to extinguish.
- If you go with a live tree, get one that is as fresh as possible. The fresher it is, the more moisture it has, therefore making it less flammable.
- Whether the tree is real or artificial, place it away from all heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, etc.
- If you have children in your home, try to use flame resistant and non toxic materials to trim your tree. These can be very dangerous if ingested.
Lighting:
- Always use lights that meet safety standards through rigorous testing. The lights should have this marked somewhere on the packaging.
- Aways check your strands of lighting for broken or damaged sockets, of frayed/damaged wires. DO NOT use them if there is damage of any kind.
- Turn off all lights when you leave the house or go to bed. The lights could short out and ignite.
- Before hanging outdoor lights, make sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
- Never use more than three sets of lights per extension cord/outlet.
And before you do ANY decorating, make sure your smoke/fire alarms work. Now is not the time to risk your safety and the safety of your home!
Happy Holidays and happy decorating!