HOLIDAY HOME SAFETY TIPS

The joy of Christmas and New Year often causes people to over indulge, thus compromising the safety of themselves and others in the household. This Christmas, as you go about decorating your home and indulging in other merrymaking activities around the house please take note of and enforce these basic anti-disaster principles:

Place your tree or greens at least three feet away from other sources. If purchasing live, cut trees, carefully inspect the 'needles.' If they are brown or break easily, the greenery isn't fresh and poses a greater fire risk.

When you take your tree home, put it in a sturdy, non-tip stand and keep it filled with water at all times. Ensure that it is difficult for the family cat or dog to drink from the container as not only can they topple the tree over but they also can chew on the electrical wires, which can literally be a shocker.

When decorating with artificial trees or greens, purchase those whose branches have been treated with flame retardant material. (Check labelling). Don't add light strings and other electrial decorations to artificial trees with metallic needles, leaves or branch coverings.

Carefully inspect new or old electrical decorations before plugging them in. Cracked sockets, frayed or loose connections may cause a serious electric shock or start a fire. Replace with new decorations.
Always unplug before replacing light bulbs or fuses.
Don't overload extensions cords. They could overheat and start a fire.
Turn off all electrical light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed. Don't put your family at risk by heading off to sleep while feeding electricity to these pretty but popular flame-starters.
Check Christmas lights for frayed or damaged wires or loose connections. Never leave lights on with unattended children around. When shopping for toys for young children, ensure that they are age appropriate. Examine toys carefully to see if any parts come off easily and might be swallowed by young children. Check for sharp edges, hidden pins or wires. Immediately throw out all wrappings for toys that can be a choke or suffocation hazard. Toddlers are strangely more attracted to the wrappings and packaging of some toys than the toy itself.
Make sure all new bicycles have training wheels.
Avoid video games that are too graphically violent unless the child is responsible enough. Some kids have been known to act out combative moves they executed in the game on friends causing bodily harm.

When hosting a Christmas party, it is the responsibility of the host to make sure all guests who drink have a designated driver. Plenty of food and soup should be available when alcohol is served.

Keep candles away from walls and drapes and avoid using them in decorations or displays. Watch for dripping wax. Keep candles away from air vents or open windows where the flame can be fanned and ignite nearby flammables. Do not leave candles unattended.
It is that time of year when kids are going to insist on helping around in the kitchen. Make sure they are never left un-supervised or have easy access to sharp objects. Stress that the stove is out of bounds and to be on the safe side reserve their `assistance' for when it is not in use.