Holiday Safety Tips

Print

Font Size: + -

With the holiday season approaching, here are some reminders to keep it safe:

Use caution with holiday decorations and whenever possible choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant, or non-combustible materials.
Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and never use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
Purchase only lights and electrical decorations bearing the name of an independent testing lab and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance.
Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings and replace damaged items before plugging in lights. Do not overload extension cords.
Always unplug lights before replacing light bulbs or fuses.
Do not mount lights in any way that can damage the cord’s wire insulation (e.g. using clips, not nails).
Keep children and pets away from the light strings and electrical decorations.
Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving the house or going to bed.
Remember that unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires.
Provide large, deep ashtrays when entertaining. Check them and empty as needed after soaking them in water.
At the end of the night, check the furniture for stray cigarette butts and empty the ashtrays in a noncombustible container.
If there are small children around, make sure matches and lighters are out of their sight and reach.