The holiday season can be many things. With the hustle and bustle, the gatherings of family and friends, the shopping and cooking, safety can easily get put on the back burner. Most of us are busy enough at this time of year without having to face a holiday mishap or worse. Here are some useful holiday safety tips and ideas to keep your family safe and sound and give you peace of mind in this joyous time of year.

Firewood Safety Tips:

Few things invoke the holiday spirit quite like sitting by the fire. After buying your firewood, a few things you can do to make the experience safe and memorable are:

• • Store firewood safely – keep your wood dry and away from flammables, tools and other ignition sources.
  • Buy local firewood – Some woods can contain insects & pests. Always purchase wood locally to avoid importing a foreign pest. Most experts suggest obtain wood within a 50 mile radius.
  • Never apply pesticides – The smoke from wood treated with pesticides can be harmful to inhale due to the chemical burn off.
  • Schedule a regular cleaning of your fireplace and chimney before the season begins.

Christmas Tree Safety:
The Christmas tree is rightfully the centerpiece of your holiday decorations. Buying and maintaining your tree safely throughout the season takes thought and a little preparation. Make sure to know how to keep your live Christmas tree fresh or how to purchase a safe artificial tree. Be it live or artificial, here are some guidelines to make sure your tree doesn’t become a centerpiece for the wrong reasons:

Live Christmas Tree Safety Tips:

• • Live trees are less likely to catch fire than artificial.
  • Select a tree that is vibrant, with sturdy branches, has a solid trunk that’s tacky with resin and does not lose too many needles when shook or tapped to the ground.
  • Have the stump cut level (not on an angle) upon purchase, taking about a ½ of an inch off.
  • Avoid placing your tree near fireplaces, heaters, candles and other heat sources.
  • Make sure your tree stays watered regularly to increase its longevity in your home. Your Christmas Tree Stand should be able to accommodate 1 quart of water per inch of the stump’s diameter. With an Auto Stop Watering System, you’ll never need to crawl beneath the tree to water again!
  • Always remember to turn your tree lights out at bedtime and do not leave lights on unattended.

Artificial Christmas Tree Safety Tips:

• • Pre Lit Christmas Trees should carry the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and/or ETL/ITSNA labels seen here:

• • Never use lights on a metallic tree as this can become a fire or shock hazard.
  • Again, always remember to turn your tree lights out at bedtime and do not leave lights on unattended.

Indoor Holiday Light Safety:
Lighting always brings majesty to your tree, illuminating the new ornaments and the keepsakes you’ve collected through the years.

• • Lights for your tree should be for indoor use and carry the UL or ETL/ITSNA safety labels seen above.
  • Check each light strand for broken or damaged bulbs and replace them before stringing your lights on the tree.
  • Use a maximum of 3 light sets per extension cord. Make sure cords are against the wall to avoid tripping; do not run lights and cords under rugs. Keep them out of reach of children and pets.
  • Once again, always remember to turn your lights out at bedtime and do not leave lights on unattended.

Outdoor Lighting and Decorations Safety Tips:
Outdoor décor shows off your festive spirit to the community. It immediately showcases your home and creates a welcome and inviting scene.

• • All outdoor lighting and inflatables should be labeled for outdoor use and should be plugged in to a grounded outlet. They should also feature the UL or ETL/ITSNA safety labels seen above.
  • Be sure to use heavy duty extension cords made for outdoor use.
  • Closing doors or windows on loose cords is unsafe. Affix lights in a safe way that will not cause damage.
  • As above: 3 light sets per extension cord and check strands for damaged bulbs that need replacing.
  • Never mount lights with staples or nails. Not only can this cause cord damage, it is also an electrical fire hazard, try safety clips instead.
  • Keep ladders away from power lines that may be overhead. Ensure your ladder is placed on a level area and is safe to climb.

Holiday Home Décor Safety Tips:
Adding all of your old and new treasured Christmas decorations lends warmth and personality to your home and tree.

• • Read all labels for hazards. Check and avoid products that might contain lead.
  • Hang wall decorations properly, keeping light-up items properly and safely plugged in.
  • Don’t strain to reach for high branches on your tree, try a ladder or stepstool instead.
  • Use the sturdier branches for heavier ornaments.
  • When using popcorn strands or other edible ornaments, keep them out of reach of pets and small children.
  • If children will be around your tree, take care to avoid sharp or breakable ornaments or place them out of reach. Smaller decorations can also create a choking hazard to children and pets.

A Few Extra Helpful Holiday Safety Tips:
Here are a couple more handy holiday safety hints for your whole household:

• • Burn your holiday candles in a safe place away from your tree, decorations, kids and pets.
  • Work together, have a buddy hold your ladder or stepstool to keep it stable.
  • Avoid fake food displayed in the reach of children who may be tempted and mistake it for the real thing.
  • Childproof any unused electrical outlets.
  • Keep areas well ventilated when applying spray ‘snow’
  • Have a home fire safety meeting with your household, create a fire prevention plan and make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. Make sure safety rules for kids are addressed.

With common sense and a few simple precautions, you can focus on the holiday spirit and enjoy the spirit of the season with your loved ones. Ensuring the safety of your home allows your family and friends to enjoy all the time and hard work it takes to set up and decorate for the holidays.