10 Ways to Stay on the
Safe Side This Season
Share: 
- Water, water, water your live tree: Dry trees pose a fire risk. Make a fresh cut on the base before putting your tree into a sturdy stand and water it frequently.
- Check your lights, check them twice: Inspect all of your electric lights and decorations for damage or wear. Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard.
- Plan your fire escape: Use the holidays as a good time to plan and practice a fire escape plan with your loved ones. Identify at least two exits from every room in the house, and have a safe meeting place away from your home.
- Sleep safe by installing carbon monoxide alarms: Be sure that a carbon monoxide alarm is installed outside all sleeping areas in your home.
- Limit plug-in toys to the big kids: It’s not safe to give a small child a toy or product that needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet due to possible burns or electric shock.
- Give wrapping paper a second life: Don’t burn used wrapping paper as it may cause intense flash fires. And throwing it out adds waste. Consider recycling or repurposing it instead.
- Know your lights and cords: Do not connect more than three miniature light strings together. Also, be sure to check the rating on your extension cords, and do not plug in more than the recommended wattage.
- Steer your tree clear: Your tree should be positioned at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. It should also not block any doorways or exits.
- Decorate with a safe eye: Cords should not be run under carpets or tacked up with metal nails or staples. Small decorations can be choking hazards so keep them out of the reach of toddlers.
- Look for UL
