12 safety tips of Christmas
’Tis the season to celebrate safely
TO HELP MAKE SURE your holidays don’t go from merry to scary, remember these 12 holiday safety tips.
- Keep decorations at least 3 feet away from heat sources—especially those with an open flame, like fireplaces and candles. Blow out your candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- When you are decorating, make sure not to run cords under rugs or furniture, out of windows or across walkways and sidewalks.
- If you have a natural Christmas tree, water it to keep it fresh and safe. Real trees can dry up and turn into kindling in no time at all. Dispose of the tree after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage.
- Always turn off your decorations when you leave your home and when you’re sleeping. Most deadly fires happen while people are asleep.
- Be mindful of how you are using electrical outlets. If you’re using extension cords or adapters that add receptacles, consider having a qualified electrician add more outlets to your home. Extension cords are a common cause of home fires.
- Use electronics only in dry areas.
- Remember that phones and tablets should stay on your nightstand. Electronics left under pillows and blankets can overheat and become dangerous.
- Need a perfect gift idea? How about a smoke alarm? Every home needs a working smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level, including the basement. And remember to test your own to make sure they’re working.
- Switch off space heaters before leaving the room. It takes only seconds for a fire to start if a space heater tips over or comes in contact with something combustible, like a blanket or curtains.
- Inspect your decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn out. Frayed cords are a tell-tale sign you need a replacement.
- Keep batteries stored safely in their packaging and out of reach of anything that might try to eat them, like small children and pets.
- A good gift for your family is to upgrade to arc fault circuit interrupter breakers or outlets. It is estimated that half of the electrical fires that occur every year could be prevented by AFCIs. All upgrades should be completed by a qualified electrician.
DAVID BRANDON is director of safety and environmental compliance at JPEC.
Tips courtesy of Electrical Safety Foundation International.
