The holidays have officially arrived! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwaanza, or all three- we share in your excitement! While you're busy decorating the house, it is easy to get caught up in the fun and safety might be the last thing on your mind. Thankfully, we have put together a short list of our top safety tips to keep your home and your family safe and sound while decking the halls!
Christmas Trees
According to fire departments across the U.S., there are nearly 200 house fires each year caused by Christmas trees. If your family prefers a live Christmas tree, here are a few ways to make sure it remains safe in your home.- Keep your tree hydrated. A dry tree is 20x more likely to catch fire than one that is properly watered
- Check the water every other day
- Starting with a green tree, this shows that the tree is healthy and has proper hydration
- Keep your tree away from heat sources such as outlets, candles, fireplaces, and heaters
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy
- Fake it! If you can, use an artificial tree. They are cost-effective and provide protection against fires
- Check the lights for any exposed wires or sockets
Christmas Lights
- Double-check for any frayed wires, exposed sockets, or missing bulbs. If you find any, replace them immediately
- Don't hammer, tack, or staple through any electrical wires. This can cause a short which may result in a fire
- Keep lights away from curtains, furniture, and carpeting
- Use heavy-duty extension cords and only use cords approved for outdoor use
- Use a timer that automatically turns the lights off each night and if you are away from home, not only will this save on your energy bill, this will prevent lights from getting too hot
- Do not use furniture as a ladder
Fireplace
- Decorated mantles are gorgeous! Stockings, greenery, and tinsel are all flammable. If you plan on using your fireplace, consider moving these elsewhere
- Look for fire-resistant decorations
- Don't burn wrapping or tissue paper in the fireplace, wrappings can ignite intensely and get out of control
Ornaments
- Purchase unbreakable and non-toxic ornaments, if possible
- Replace metal hooks with ribbon or string to avoid injury or choking
- Try to avoid decorating the bottom of the tree to avoid small children mistaking it for candy and choking
Festive Plants
Plants are a popular hostess gift, but some of our favorites can be toxic to pets and small children.- Keep plants out of reach of pets and kiddos
- Decorate with artificial greenery if possible
- If artificial is not an option, try decorating with edible vegetables such as butternut squash