Holiday Home Safety Tips

During the holiday season many of us will spend countless hours decorating to create a warm and festive atmosphere in and around our homes. While most of these tips are common sense, please feel free to use this as a checklist to help make your home a safer place during the holidays. 

Christmas Trees

If you have a live tree please make sure to keep it watered. A dehydrated tree has a much greater degree of becoming a fire hazard. When purchasing the tree make sure that the needles are flexible and do not fall off the tree easily. If upon bending the bristles break, select another tree as this one is too dry. Also check the tree for any mold. A live tree brought into the home is one of the largest contributors to mold in homes.
Place the tree at least 3 feet away from the fireplace or heat register. Both can dry out the tree much quicker if it is placed too close.
Do not decorate the tree with candles.
Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping its needles.
Make sure that the smoke detectors in your home are working properly and that you have a charged fire extinguisher just in case.
 
Lighting

Inspect all stands of lights and extension cords. Replace any that are frayed or have cracked plugs.
Indoor rated lights have a green UL label on them while lights that are rated for indoor or outdoor use have a red UL label.
Follow manufacturers´ recommendation for number of strands that can be used together. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) recommends using no more than 3 strands together.
Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords.
Unplug all seasonal lighting when you leave home or go to sleep.
 
Candles

As stated earlier do not decorate your tree with candles.
Keep candles away from decorations, curtains, bedding and other flammable materials.
Place candles away from areas where they could be easily knocked over by a pet or individual.
Always keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Extinguish candles when you leave home or go to sleep.

I hope that you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season!!!

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