The holiday season is full of opportunities for people to get together for fun, food, and sharing. By following some simple precautions, you can make the holidays safe for your, your family, and your friends.
- Teach children to stay away from candles, fireplaces, fireworks, space heaters, matches, and lighters.
- Holly and mistletoe can be poisonous to small children and pets.
- Pass up toys that are highly flammable or a choking hazard. Make sure electronic toys are labeled for fire safety, and keep them away from your tree. Be sure to check for toys that may be recalled by the manufacturer.
- Dispose of gift paper soon after opening presents. A room full of paper lying around on the floor and furniture can be a tripping hazard. Do not burn wrappings in a fireplace; they may ignite suddenly and cause a flash fire.
- Make sure all of your holiday lights are tested for safety. You can identify these by a “UL” label from Underwriters Laboratories. Never put lights on a metal tree.
- Always put candles in candlesticks before you light them. Keep candles away from curtains and other combustible materials. Always blow out candles when you leave a room.
- Have your fireplace professionally inspected at least once a year and cleaned if necessary. Use a metal fire screen, put ashes in metal containers and never store them in your home.
- All artificial trees should have labels which indicate they are fire-retardant.
Have a wonderful holiday season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!