Your Christmas Tree Safety
If you decide to buy a fresh Christmas tree this year, remember that the color should be vibrant green, moist with a resin-sticky trunk, and the pine needles should be difficult to pull off the branches. The needles should be flexible and not break when bent.
- Always keep your tree away from the fireplace and other heat sources in the home
- Anchor your tree firmly to the stand.
- Keep all of your pets away from the Christmas tree water, as it may contain toxins.
- Watch out for the strings of lights—they can be dangerous for children and pets. Hang them high and hide the cords near the ground.
- If you have pets, don’t use tinsel. If swallowed, it can become lodged in their intestines and cause obstructions.
- If you have small children, consider using larger Styrofoam or plastic tree decorations. The glass kind can break and cause cuts, and the smaller ones can get stuck in their throat.
- Consider using timers for tree and window lights so they come on and turn off automatically, especially if you’re out of the house a lot during the holidays.
Decorations Safety
- Always use flame-resistant and non-combustible decorations.
- If you have small children, remember to put small ornaments, bowls of pine cones/potpourri and nativity scenes with small pieces high and out of reach.
- Keep fresh poinsettias out of reach as well. If they’re in a heavy decorative pot, a curious toddler can pull it over.
- You may want to forgo the mistletoe and holly. If ingested, mistletoe can cause severe illnesses.
Christmas Lights Safety Tips
- Use lights that are tagged and tested for safety.
- Throw away your old, damaged sets of Christmas lights.
- Don’t use more than three standard-sized sets of lights per extension cord.
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.
- When decorating outside, use only lights that have been certified for outdoor use.
- When to hanging lights outdoors, make sure the base of the ladder is free from clutter. Rest the ladder on a solid, level surface.
