Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s officially holiday decorating time! While we know some of you probably started decorating before Turkey Day, we want to make sure your holiday décor is as safe as possible. Here are ten simple tips for ensuring your holiday prep isn’t going to put you in danger:
- Keep trees away from heat sources: Place your tree away from fireplaces and heaters, and make sure you have fire extinguisher in your home. 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.
- Go for “fire-resistant”: If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it’s labeled “fire-resistant”, so it will be less susceptible to catching fire.
- Don’t burn wrapping paper: Don’t burn your leftover wrapping paper in the fireplace! Paper catches fire very quickly and can cause flash fires. Instead, recycle (or better yet, reuse) your wrapping paper.
- Double-check your lights for safety: Replace any lights with frayed wires, broken sockets and loose connections to avoid short-circuiting.
- Power down: 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.
- Be cautious of candles: Keep candles on a sturdy base and away from ledges to avoid them falling on the ground and starting a fire. More obviously, never leave a lit candle unattended.
- Avoid fragile ornaments: If you have fragile ornaments, place them towards the top of your tree 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.
If you have any questions, give us a call at 1-800-989-0299! We’re available 24/7 for all your plumbing and HVAC needs.