Holiday Home Safety Tips

December 7, 2018 | Posted by: Kelleway Mortgage Architects

Home Holiday Safety Tips

While the holiday season is a time of joy, it can also pose many dangers. Every year about 8,000 injuries occur from accidents related to holiday decorating activities. Christmas trees alone are involved in hundreds of fires, which result in almost 40 deaths each year. Decorating with safety in mind can keep you from becoming one of those grim statistics.

Choosing a Safe Christmas Tree

If a natural Christmas tree is part of your holiday decorations, consider these guidelines:

• Select a tree that is as fresh and green as possible. The needles on a fresh tree will bend instead of breaking and should not fall off easily.

• Cut an inch or two off the bottom of the truck before putting it in a stand to allow water to soak into the tree.

• Use a stand that holds water, and keep it filled to prevent the tree from drying out.

•  Locate your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, and space heaters.

Candle Safety

Candles can add a cozy touch to your home during the holidays, but they should be used with caution:

• Make sure candles are firmly secured in sturdy, non-combustible holders that will not tip over.

• Keep candles well away from flammable decorations, especially pine garlands and other dry, natural arrangements.

• Don’t leave lit candles unattended.

• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.

• Check lit candles frequently to make sure they haven’t burned down too far.

• Do not use lit candles on or near Christmas trees.

Ladder Safety

Be sure to follow these precautions when using ladders to hang decorations:

* When using a stepladder, make sure all four legs are firmly on the ground, and don’t stand on the top step or on top of the stepladder.

* Position an extension ladder at a 75° angle or a 1 to 4 ratio of horizontal distance to vertical height of the ladder (1’ out for every 4’ in height).

* Don’t attempt to hang lights outside or go on the roof after dark.

* Do not attempt to throw strings of lights into trees located near power lines.

Source.

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