Its the holidays, and everyone is having a great time! Such a great time in fact that what is often forgotten are safety issues. There are more home hazards during the holidays than usual that need attending so that a family remains safe. Unfortunately accidents do happen, but there are things that can be done to lower the risks. Awareness is the first step towards holiday safety. Here are a few hazards to be a ware of in the coming weeks.- One of every three Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems. Make sure to unplug the tree when you leave the house and go to bed. Keep the plug free of debris, such as discarded wrapping paper.
- Inspect lights for frayed wire or other defects before use.
- Make sure to keep the tree watered. A dried out tree becomes a fire hazard sitting in your living room. When it does become dried out, promptly discard it.
- Keep the tree away from a heat source.
- We love candles during the holidays! Keep them clear of anything flammable. Like gift paper, and tree branches that might be used as a part of a decoration for the table. In December, 11% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.* Consider flame-less candles for use in table decorations.
- Check your smoke alarms, make sure all the batteries are good.
Get the whole family involved in being safety conscious. Introduce the children to Sparky the fire safety dog. Sparky.org is an interactive website with everything from animated shorts, to activities and down-loadable coloring pages. Sparky also has a fire safety checklist.These are a few suggestions to keep a home safe. As you get to thinking about safety you will surely come upon your own safety practices. Enjoy the holidays, and be safe!
* Source: National Fire Protection Association
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