Give Your Family the Gift of a Healthy, Happy and Safe Holiday Season
Candles, lights and decorations are an essential part of the holiday season. Unfortunately, they also increase the risk of fire and injury. In fact, the United States Fire Administration reports that holiday fires injure more than 2,000 people and cause more than $500 million in property damage each year.
To help you and your family to have a safe, healthy and happy holiday season, follow these safety tips, courtesy of the Insurance Information Institute.
CANDLES
# Check candles frequently to make sure they don’t burn down too far or drip hot wax.
# Snuff out all candles before going to sleep.
# When burning candles, make sure they are placed in sturdy, noncombustible holders away from decorations and other combustible materials.
FIREPLACES
# Never burn wrapping paper in the fireplace; this may release fire-starting embers or produce a buildup of dangerous chemical fumes in the home.
ENTERTAINING
# If you entertain guests who smoke, provide large ashtrays and check for cigarette butts in upholstered furniture before going to bed. Cigarette fires are the leading cause of fire fatalities in the home.
# Don’t leave the stove unattended when cooking for guests; in the excitement of holiday entertaining, it is easy to forget about the stove.
CHILDREN AND PETS
# Place all ornaments out of reach of small children and pets. Small or breakable ornaments easily can be knocked down. This can result in cuts or choking.
# Be sure to anchor the tree to the wall and ceiling – curious children and playful pets can topple a tree in seconds, causing serious injury.
# Beware of toxic decorations. Mistletoe and holly berries may be poisonous if more than a few are swallowed. Old tinsel may contain lead; discard old tinsel if you are not sure of its composition. Fire salts (which produce a multicolored effect when thrown on burning wood) contain heavy metal, which if swallowed may cause serious gastrointestinal problems and vomiting.
Get into the habit of checking the batteries on smoke detectors, purchasing fire extinguishers and installing a sophisticated alarm system. Print a list of emergency numbers like the poison control, police and fire departments and place them near each telephone in the home. This will help you give your family the most important gift of the season – the gift of safety.
