The holiday season is upon us! All year we look forward to the hot mugs of cocoa, our favorite Christmas songs on repeat, trimming the tree, and illuminating our homes with as many twinkling lights as we can possibly get our hands on! Memories of our childhood come barreling back as we snuggle in blankets and re-watch our treasured Christmas movies, while wrapping paper covers our carefully guarded secrets of what hides underneath the tree this year! It truly is the most wonderful, magical, time of the year!
In order to keep everything Merry and Bright this year, here are some safety tips from onemedical.com, to ensure everyone has a Very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season!
· Keep Live Trees Away From Heat Sources: As beautiful as a lit up Christmas Tree looks next to a roaring fire; this is a serious safety concern. Place your tree away from fireplaces and heaters, and keep a fire extinguisher near your tree. Live trees are highly flammable, due to needles and sap.
· Hydrate Your Tree: A dried-out tree can catch fire faster than one that has been properly watered. Check the water level every other day to ensure proper hydration. Starting with a green tree is one way to keep it from drying out so quickly.
· Fake It: If you are going to purchase a fake Christmas Tree, make sure the labels read “Fire Resistant.”
· Do Not Burn Wrapping Paper In The Fireplace: This can cause flash fires, and wrapping paper burns very quickly. Instead, recycle your used wrapping paper!
· Work As A Team: When stringing lights and decorations above your normal reach, make sure you use a proper ladder with someone supporting the base.
· Double Check Your Lights For Safety: Replace any lights with frayed wires, broken sockets, and loose connections. The CPSC issued new guidelines for seasonal light safety in 2015, setting a minimum wire size, and standards for strain relief and over-current protection.
· Power Down Before You Turn In: Turn off all lights when you go to bed and before leaving the house to avoid a short that could start an electrical fire.
· Prevent Electrical Cord Damage: Don’t mount lights in a way that might damage the cords, and avoid using nails or tacks. Use hooks or insulated staples instead.
· Secure Candles: Keep candles on a sturdy base to prevent tipping. Never leave a lit candle unattended.
· Use Unbreakable Ornaments: If you have fragile ornament, place them out of reach from pets and kids.
· Beware Of Poisonous Plants: While festive, poinsettias are poisonous when eaten, so keep them out of reach of kids and pets.
Creekside Risk Management would like to ask everyone to be safe and cautious this Holiday Season, while we gear up for the BEST DAY OF THE YEAR! Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!!!!