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Holiday
Safety Tips
Keep your holiday merry and safe. Here are some useful safety
tips.
Christmas
Trees & Decorations
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- When buying
a natural tree, the most important safety precaution is freshness.
The higher the moisture content the less likely it is to dry out
and become a fire hazard. Check for freshness by examining the
needles.
- Water trees
often.
- Do not block
stairs or doorways.
- Dispose of
the tree when needles begin to fall off in large quantities.
- Artificial
trees should bear the UL label.
- Always turn
off your tree whenever you leave your home.
- Use only
UL approved lighting.
- Inspect lights
for broken or cracked sockets and frayed wires, replace if necessary.
- Don't overload
extension cords, and do not connect more than three sets of lights
on one cord.
- Think twice
before climbing ladders to hang decorations or plugging in lights
this winter season. A faulty ladder or frayed extension cord could
result in an accident that could be avoided if you take precautions.
- Before working
with outdoor wiring, turn off the electricity to the supply outlet
and unplug the connection. Make sure that light strings, cords,
spotlights and floodlights are certified for outdoor use or wet
locations.
- When hanging
lights outdoors, keep electrical connectors above ground and out
of puddles and snow as well as away from metal eaves troughs.
To prevent moisture from entering bulb sockets, turn the bulbs
to face the ground if possible.
Fireplaces
- Before starting
a fire, make sure that all decorations are removed from the area
and be sure that the flu is open.
- Keep a tight
fitting screen on your fireplace.
- Have your
chimney cleaned regularly.
- Do not burn
wrapping paper or evergreen boughs. They burn fast, and may throw
off sparks and burning debris.
Portable
Heaters
- Keep all
portable heaters at least three feet away from flammable items.
Turn off space heaters before leaving a room or going to sleep.
- Use only
manufacturer's recommended fuel in portable kerosene heaters.
Shut down and cool off equipment before refueling.
For more information
see: http://www.nsc.org/
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