The holiday season has arrived! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or all three, Scissortail is excited to share the holiday spirit with you. It’s so easy to get caught up in decorating and the festivities. We want to make sure you have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season with friends and family. So, we put together our top holiday decorating safety tips to keep in mind while you deck out your home.
- Keep live Christmas trees away from heat sources such as fireplaces and heaters. It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher nearby since live trees are highly flammable due to needles and sap.
- Hydrate your live Christmas tree. A dry tree can catch fire faster than one that is well-watered. Check the water level every-other-day.
- If you go the artificial tree route, make sure it’s labeled “fire-resistant.”
- Don’t burn wrapping paper in the fireplace. Paper catches fire very quickly and can cause flash fires. A better way to dispose of wrapping paper is to recycle or (better yet) reuse.
- Teamwork is best when stringing lights on the outside of your home, especially in areas above your reach. ALWAYS use a proper ladder and have a partner to hold the ladder.
- Inspect your lights. Replace any lights with frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections. Here’s a guide to safely installing your indoor and outdoor Christmas lights.
- Power down before you turn in. Never leave the lights on when you go to bed or leave the house unattended to avoid a short that could start an electrical fire.
- Don’t mount lights in a way that will damage the cords. Avoid using nails or tacks and use hooks or clips instead.
- If you light any candles, make sure they are on a sturdy base to prevent tipping and never leave one unattended.
- Place any fragile or breakable ornaments out of reach from pets and children.
- If you have small children or pets, it’s best to avoid decorations that look like candy or food.
- Beware of poisonous plants. While festive, poinsettias are poisonous when eaten, so keep them out of reach of kids and pets.
Happy Holidays! We hope you have a beautiful and safe holiday season.
We want to hear from you. What other holiday decorating safety tips do you have?
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