Holiday Safety

November 1 2011

Fellow members, that time of year is upon us again.  We gather together over the next months with loved ones to celebrate the holidays together, to build enduring memories, and to enjoy fellowship with one another.

But let's take a moment to think about safety.  None of us wants our holiday memories marred by injury or property damage.

Every year, about 12,500 people are treated for injuries such as falls, cuts, and shocks related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees.  About 300 fires a year involve Christmas trees, costing an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage, and worse, causing injury or death.

Let me urge you to follow these tips put forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Trees:

o      When buying an artificial tree, look for a label that says "Fire Resistant."  While this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does mean the tree will resist burning.

o      When buying a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, and needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of the trunk of a fresh tree is sticky with resin

o      When putting up the tree at home, put it at least three feet away       from radiators and fireplaces.  Heated rooms dry live trees out quickly, so it is important to keep the tree stand filled with water. 

Lights:

o      Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories, which shows adherenene to safety standards. Use lights that have fused plugs.

o      Check each set of lights for broken or cracked sockets, damaged wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs with bulbs of the same wattage.

o      Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.

o      Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

o      Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.

o      Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes.

o      Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks, or run strings of lights through hooks made for that purpose.

o      Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

o      Use caution when removing outdoor holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights as they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines.

o      Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies       are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.

Decorations:

o      Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

o      Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens.       Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.

o      In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small       removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.