It’s holiday time once again. For many people, it’s their favorite time of the year. With delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen, the twinkle of Christmas lights, that tangy Christmas tree smell, the excited voices of children – it’s the time to rejoice in glad tidings. Basking in the warm, holiday glow can make it easy to let your guard down. Don’t! We at Peter Young Home Inspections urge to you to keep your holidays joyous by observing some common sense safety precautions.
Lights
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Lights transform holidays into magical feasts for the eyes. Here are a few ways to enjoy your holiday lights without YOU lighting up like a Christmas tree.
- Who doesn’t love the smell of scented candles? Remember to keep candles away from decorations and combustible materials. NEVER use candles to decorate a Christmas tree. Trees dry out as time goes by, making them a serious fire hazard when flames are nearby.
- Inspect new and used light strings carefully. Check for loose or broken bulbs are frayed wiring. Repair or replace damaged components before plugging the lights in.
- When mounting lights, guide them through hooks or insulated staples. Do not use nails or tacks.
- Don’t overload extension cords. Use high quality power strips equipped with surge protectors.
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. If a wire becomes frayed, the tree can become an electrical conductor, presenting risk of injury or death by electrocution.
- Be sure outdoor lights, wires and cords are rated for outdoor use.
- Plug outdoor lights and decorations into circuits equipped with ground fault interrupters (GFI) to prevent electrical shocks. If you’re not sure if your outdoor receptacles have GFIs, please consult an electrician.
- Shut off all lights and other electrical decorations when you go to sleep or leave the house. Unattended holiday lights can short out and cause fires.
- Keep children and pets away from lights and other electrical decorations. Always hang lights and decorations at least six inches higher than children can reach.
Christmas Trees
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Nothing says Christmas better than that wonderful fir tree smell! Here are some ways to enjoy your tree in safety.
- Buying a live tree? Always check for freshness. The tree should be vibrant and green. Needles should be hard to pull from branches and should not break when bent between your fingers.
- Set up your live tree in a stand that allows for easy watering. Cutting a few inches off the trunk to expose fresh wood lets your tree absorb more water and keeps it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Be sure to keep the stand filled with water.
- Prevent your tree from tipping over by making sure the stand is big enough and sturdy enough for the size of your tree.
- Set up your tree away from heat sources, such as radiators, electric heaters, fireplaces, and woodstoves.
- Keep pets away from your tree whenever possible. Also, if you have pets, don’t use edible decorations on your tree, such as strings of popcorn. Your pet may try to eat them and bring the tree crashing down.
- If you are purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as “fire-resistant.”
Entertaining
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The best part of holidays is time spent with loved ones. Here are some ways to keep them safe.
- Never leave small children unattended while you are entertaining guests. If your attention is elsewhere, be sure to have a babysitter, relative, or older sibling taking care of the children.
- Keep children away from ovens, stoves, and hot surfaces. If possible, keep them out of the kitchen while you are preoccupied with cooking.
- Keep an eye on your guests. Serve alcohol in moderation so nobody drives home intoxicated.
- Always use timers when cooking. A common cause of holiday fires is food burning in the oven.
Follow these simple tips and stay safe for the holidays. In whatever way you choose to celebrate, we wish you and yours a joyous holiday season.
Knowledge is power!
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