Every year, families around the world plan their holiday celebrations. The holidays are a time for spending time with friends, family and appreciating those that are close to you. However, amidst all of the festivities, it’s important to remember that safety should always be your number one priority. There are many things that you can do to help ensure that your holidays will be safe, happy and accident-free.
Holiday Safety Tip #1: Candles
Many candles are designed with warm, appealing scents that add an ambiance of comfort to a home. However, as with any type of candle, it’s essential that you don’t let them burn unattended! If you do light candles, be sure that they are placed on a non-flammable surface, away from any hanging decorations, plants or other materials.
Holiday Safety Tip #2: Fire Resistant Trees
When purchasing a fake Christmas tree, be sure to check the packaging for the label “Fire Resistant”. Some of the more inexpensive fake Christmas trees may not be rated as being resistant to fire, which can be very dangerous if you plan to use lights on your tree. If you are unsure of if a tree that you have is fire resistant, you can always check the manufacturer’s website online.
Holiday Safety Tip #3: Live Christmas Tree Care
In order to lower the risk of fire, it’s important to take proper care of a live Christmas tree. The best way to ensure that a live tree doesn’t become a fire hazard is to keep it sufficiently watered. In heated rooms, Christmas trees often dry out very quickly. It’s highly recommended that you add water to your Christmas tree’s dish at least twice per day, in order to ensure that it doesn’t become dry. When a Christmas tree isn’t sufficiently watered, it becomes extremely flammable.
Holiday Safety Tip #4: Lights
Before hanging up your lights, you may want to check them for defects. A frayed wire, broken bulb or loose connection may be all that it takes to start a fire in your home. Keep all of your receipts for light purchases, so that you can return them if you find that they are defective. If you plan to hang your lights outside, be sure to check that they are designed for outdoor use. Always hang outdoor lights on hooks or with insulated staples, instead of tacks or nails.
Holiday Safety Tip #5: Festivities
After having a gathering, be sure to clean up any broken ornaments, excess food, misplaced decorations or other items. This is especially important if you have young children, who may injure themselves on broken Christmas decorations. Don’t be afraid to do a quick “child-proofing” of your house before a holiday party, which may involve removing any breakable items from the area in which your guests will be gathering.
Holiday Safety Tip #6: Fireplace Safety
Though hanging stockings over the fireplace mantle is a time-honored tradition, it’s essential that you do this with extreme care! Felt or light cloth can be ignited by even a small spark from the fireplace. If your fireplace is open, purchase a glass door or screen to keep it from throwing sparks out into your living room.
Holiday Safety Tip #7: Wrapping Paper
Since wrapping paper may be coated with chemical dyes, plastics or other materials, it’s not recommended that you burn it in your fireplace. Some of the chemicals may produce dangerous fumes, or contribute to dangerous buildup in your chimney. It’s best if you either recycle your holiday wrapping paper, or dispose of it with your other garbage.
Holiday Safety Tip #8: Holiday Stress
Though stress isn’t an immediate threat to your personal safety, holiday activities can still take quite a toll on both your health and energy level. In order to help combat this, take some “personal” time each day to relax. Brew some chamomile tea, grab a book, and curl up by the fireplace to read. You’ll be surprised at how much more you’ll be able to accomplish each day if you take some time to lower your stress level.
Related posts:
- 5 Tips for Holiday Light Safety
Decorating you home with holiday-themed lights is a wonderful way to create a festive mood for the Christmas season. However, in order to be able...
- Buying Gifts Online? 3 Important Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
Arnold Schwarzenegger is currently best-known for being the governor of California. However, ever since Arnold starred in his first film (which was called “Hercules in...
