Tag: holiday safety

Candle Safety Tips – Holiday Survival Guide

rules_137Candles start almost half of all home fires related to decorations.  Minimize your risk with these candle safety tips:

  • Avoid using candles when possible.  Consider using battery-operated candles in place of traditional candles.
  • Never leave an open flame unattended.  Keep burning candles within sight.
  • Place lighted candles away from combustible material such as other decorations and wrapping paper.
  • Take care to place candle displays in locations where they cannot be knocked over.
  • Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other greenery.
  • Extinguish all candles before you go to sleep, leave the room, or leave the house.

via Candle Safety Tips – 2012 Holiday Survival Guide – ESFi :: Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Christmas Safety Tips

Christmas_TreeChristmas is a special time of the year for families.  We suggest the following safety tips to keep the holiday season joyful.

Christmas Tree Safety:

  • Consider an artificial tree as they are much safer and cleaner
  • A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground
  • Cut one inch off the trunk to help absorb water
  • Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate
  • The tree stand should hold a minimum of one gallon of water
  • Check the water level daily
  • Make sure the tree is secured and cannot be knocked over
  • Keep the tree away from all heat sources
  • Use miniature lights that have cool-burning bulbs
  • Always turn off the tree lights when going to bed or leaving the house
  • Never use candles even on artificial trees
  • Dispose of the tree properly after the holidays

Home Safety:

  • Make sure you have a properly working fire alarm
  • Use only outdoor lights on the exterior of the home
  • Never use worn light strings
  • Connect no more than three strands of lights together
  • Never use an indoor extension cord outdoors
  • Avoid overloading wall outlets and extension cords
  • Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground and out of the snow
  • Never use electric lights on a metallic tree
  • Extinguish fireplace ashes before going to bed or leaving the house
  • After parties, check under and around chairs, sofas and other furniture for smoldering cigarettes if there have been people smoking in the house
  • Have at least one working carbon monoxide detector in the house
  • Have a fire extinguisher available

via Christmas safety.

Fireworks Safety Tips

Fireworks can be very dangerous. Here are some safety tips:
  • Use fireworks outdoors only.
  • Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
  • Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).
  • Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them.
  • Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
  • Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.
  • Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.”
  • Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
  • Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you! Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.

Let’s celebrate our nation’s heritage on the Fourth of July, but celebrate safely. via Welcome | The National Council on Fireworks Safety.