Holiday Season Safety Suggestions
While ornaments and decorative lights go up in and around your home, so does the risk of accidents and potential dangers leading to injury and fire. The following are some safety tips and guidelines to assist you.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC) an estimated 10.800 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for holiday related injuries, bruises, falls and shocks from holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees.
The
CPSC also lists 11,000 candle related fires that tragically end in 150
deaths and 1200 yearly injuries. Property loss alone climbs to $15 million
in damages. Christmas trees are a dangerous contributor, adding 20 deaths
and 70 injuries annually to the holiday danger toll.
"Few traditions are more beautiful than candle lighting ceremonies during Advent, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but burning candles should never be left unattended," said CPSC Acting Chairman Thomas Moore. "Keep candles, matches and lighters away from children and make sure your holiday lights have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. We want to prevent wonderful traditions from becoming holiday tragedies."
If you purchase an artificial tree inspect it first to make sure you see the label that says it is "Fire Resistant." Keep in mind that while this label doesn't mean the tree won't catch fire, but it does indicate it will resist burning and should extinguish relatively quickly.
A fresh tree is a safer choice. If you can easily pull the needles off the tree you should choose another. The needles should be hard to pull off. Examine the trunk of tree, if it isn't sticky with resin the tree may not be very fresh. The resin is an indication of how fresh the tree is.
If your tree is fresh, cut off a few inches from its trunk before putting it in its stand. This will help it draw up water better, keeping it fresher longer. Keep it well watered and check it often.
At home keep your tree a good distance from fireplaces and radiators and out of the way of traffic and doorways.
Use this "should be" checklist for your lights.
Each set of lights you use to decorate this season should:
- Be tested for safety by a recognized laboratory that conforms to safety standards;
- Have a UL label;
- Have fused plugs;
- Be checked for broken or cracked sockets;
- Be checked for frayed wires, burnt out bulbs and loose connections;
- Be plugged into extension cords that are placed squarely against walls to avoid tripping;
- Not exceed more than three standard size sets of lights per single extension cord;
- Be connected to extension cords that are rated for your intended use;
- Be checked for certification for outdoor usage;
- Be fastened securely to trees, house walls or other supports that are firm and secure;
- Be secured with insulated staples to hold strings in place (avoid using nails or tacks) or when possible run strings through hooks;
- Be turned off before going to bed or leaving your house;
- Be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's), which can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold.
Never combine electric lights with a metallic tree. Electrical charges can result from faulty lights. Should this occur while a person is touching the tree they can be electrocuted.
Many holiday decorations can be toxic if ingested by children or small animals, including holly berries, mistletoe and aromatic oils.
Choose decorations that are non-combustible or flame resistant. If you use tinsel or artificial icicles select ones made of plastic or nonleaded metals to reduce any danger from ingestion by small children or animals.
Avoid using lighted candles on your tree or near other evergreens and place them where they won't easily fall or be knocked over.
If you have small children around your home this holiday season take special care to eliminate any decorations that are sharp, breakable or that have removable parts that can be swallowed or inhaled.
Spun glass "angel hair" can irritate your skin if you don't wear gloves. It can irritate your eyes if you don't protect them. And snow sprays, can be a major irritant for your lungs if you spray recklessly and don't first read the instruction on the can.
Fire salts which color flames when tossed onto wood fires contain heavy metals that can cause vomiting if eaten and major gastrointestinal irritation.Burning wrapping papers in your fireplace is a bad idea. Often wrapping paper contains metallic materials, which can be toxic if burned. Instead of getting rid of excess paper you may find a flash fire resulting. Such a fire can produce intense heat and unwelcome toxic smoke.
Always keep your tree and garlands far from where a spark or burning ember from your fire may ignite them.
We at Bisnar Chase wish you and your family a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.
