Christmas is a special time of the year for families. We suggest the following safety tips to keep the holiday season joyful.
Christmas Tree Safety:
- Consider an artificial tree as they are much safer and cleaner
- A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground
- Cut one inch off the trunk to help absorb water
- Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate
- The tree stand should hold a minimum of one gallon of water
- Check the water level daily
- Make sure the tree is secured and cannot be knocked over
- Keep the tree away from all heat sources
- Use miniature lights that have cool-burning bulbs
- Always turn off the tree lights when going to bed or leaving the house
- Never use candles even on artificial trees
- Dispose of the tree properly after the holidays
Home Safety:
- Make sure you have a properly working fire alarm
- Use only outdoor lights on the exterior of the home
- Never use worn light strings
- Connect no more than three strands of lights together
- Never use an indoor extension cord outdoors
- Avoid overloading wall outlets and extension cords
- Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground and out of the snow
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree
- Extinguish fireplace ashes before going to bed or leaving the house
- After parties, check under and around chairs, sofas and other furniture for smoldering cigarettes if there have been people smoking in the house
- Have at least one working carbon monoxide detector in the house
- Have a fire extinguisher available
via Christmas safety.