Here's why I compiled and posted this list:
From November through New Year's there's a 39% increase in household fires. In NYC alone, Christmas trees are involved in over 800 fires annually, resulting in 40 deaths (90% of which are children under the age of 10), 150 injuries and an average of more than $15 million in property loss and damage.

To ensure my son is familiar with Fire Safety I print out the list in the extended entry, give him his fire marshal hat and have him help me conduct a fire inspection. He reads off each one out loud and then checks off each one as we find we're in compliance. Then on a given Saturday morning we review our apartment fire exit plan and run a drill for our 2 fire exits. If we are able to keep it under last year's time he not only gets a sticker, he gets an ice cream sundae! This year I'm also involving my sitter as I've been working late every blue moon and I want to make sure she knows what to do.

No matter how you celebrate the holidays, there are many things that you can do to make sure that your family has a safe and comfortable holiday. Here's a number of tips I always keep with my holiday decorations, and which I anonymously mail to my idiot neighbor upstairs, since he had his Christmas fire (which partially burned and flooded my apt.) 4 years ago. This list is a reminder of all the things we should be carefol of as we decorate and celebrate during the holidays. Please feel free to add your own safety tips in the comments. Thanks!

The sources for these tips were culled from the: Fire Department of New York, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. This was originally posted on 12/6/05.
Trees
When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree should be sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.

Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over and be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. And to keep the water level at least 2 inches above the cut.

Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly. A 5 ft. tree should be given 1 ltr a day.

If you give your Christmas tree plant food once a week. Not only will it stay green, it will continue to smell great for weeks.

If purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant."

Carefully plan where your tree will be positioned. Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any source of heat (radiators, fireplace, etc.), place it out of the way of foot traffic and do not block doorways.

For tall/large or heavily ornamented trees, consider using thin guy-wires to secure the top of the tree to a wall or ceiling. These wires are almost invisible and are a good idea if you have animals or small children in your household.

Lights
Before purchasing any lights make sure they have the official UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label on the box AND near the plug on the lights.

Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person or child touching a branch could easily be electrocuted.

Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use by UL (Underwriters Laboratories). Check the lights for loose bulbs or frayed wiring. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.

Check all lights - even if you've just purchased them - before hanging them on your tree. Make sure to check each bulb to ensure not only that they work but that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.

Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.

Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house, as the lights could overheat or short out and start a fire.

Use The Right Cord: Never use a household extension cord for outdoor lights. They're not designed for outdoor use. I know, I know ... the multi-plug ends make them seductive. But spend a few bucks and buy one of the new multi-plug light stakes and you'll be safer and happier with the results.

Leave The Plugs Alone: Those ground plugs are there for a reason. Never cut them off, use 3/2 adapters or otherwise try to defeat them.

Watch The Puddles: When running cords out from your house, be very careful where the connections end up. It may be sunny while you're stringing the lights, but it's going to rain eventually. Don't leave a connection where it's going to end up sitting in a puddle, or you might get a nasty surprise when you plug the lights in.

Don't Get Strung Out: Pay attention to the package instructions concerning how many strings of lights should be strung together. Generally, it's no more than three, sometimes only two. Ignore these warnings and you can find yourself with melted cords, smoldering shrubs or worse.

Check The Listing: Ideally, all your lights would be of the same brand name, but with purchasing from year to year and from different stores, that's just about an impossibility. At the very least, make sure that all strings of lights in your display bear the Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) seal of approval. If just one out of the 20 or 30 strings of lights in your display is unlisted, that doesn't mean it becomes safer by osmosis. You've got a potentially dangerous string of lights, and are risking your house to save a few bucks.

Decorations

Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are
hazardous if ingested by children.

In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

Keep holiday plants away from children and pets. Mistletoe, holly berries, and Christmas cactus are poisonous if swallowed. Poinsettias can cause stomach irritation in humans, and they can make pets very sick.


When making and using paper decorations, look for materials labeled non-combustible or flame-resistant.

Never place trimming near open flames or electrical connections.

Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable candle holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down or come in contact with clothing or drapes.

In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.

Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung and eye irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays

Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or can cause a fire if near flame.

Toy Safety/Child Safety

Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children. Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully and check the size of its parts to make sure there are no parts that can be swallowed.

Before allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully. If the toy is appropriate for your child, show him how to use it properly.

To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don't give a young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.

Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.

Children of this age like to pull, prod, and twist toys. Watch for strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies. Also, look for toys that are well made with tightly secured eyes, noses, and other parts. Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Avoid toys that are constructed with thin, brittle plastic that might easily break into small pieces.

Look for household art materials, including crayons and paint sets, marked with the designation "ASTM D-4236." This means the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist and, if necessary, labeled with cautionary information.

Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children.
Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.

Outdoor Fun
Make sure your child's gloves and shoes stay dry. If either becomes wet, change your child into a dry pair.

Sledding on or into the roadway should be prohibited.

Look for shallow slopes that are free of obstacles, such as trees and fences.

Most skiing and skating injuries involve twists, sprains and strains. Prevent injuries by providing your child with competent instruction, proper equipment and appropriate supervision.

Food Safety
Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.

Be sure to keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child's exploring hands.

Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same.
Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.

Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separate, and use separate utensils when preparing them. Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.

Cross-contamination is another major cause of food-borne illness. Any surface that food comes in contact with is a source of contamination. Cooking utensils, dishes and cutting boards exposed to raw meat and/or poultry products should be thoroughly washed prior to use for any cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination of food-borne illnesses such as salmonella or listeria..

Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than a couple of hours. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered shallow containers (less than two inches deep) within two hours after cooking. Date the leftovers for future use.

Happy Visiting

Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.

Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.

Keep a laminated list with all of the important phone numbers prominently displayed that you family or a baby-sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include the police and fire department, your pediatrician and the National Poison Help Line.

Being a smart party host or guest should include being sensible about alcoholic drinks. 82% of all traffic fatalities during the holidays are alcohol-related. Use designated drivers, people who do not drink, to drive other guests home after a holiday party.

Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase stress levels. Try to stick to your usual routines, including sleep schedules and naps, to help you and your family enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.

Select gifts for older adults that are not heavy or awkward to handle. For persons with arthritis, make sure the gift does not require assembly and can be easily opened and closed. Choose books with large type for anyone with vision impairment.

Remember to help clean up after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.

When you go out to parties, be sure the sitter knows where you can be reached, the number of the police and fire department and your pediatrician, and how to contact the poison control center.

Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.

Fireplaces

Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.

Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.

Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

I Hope you have a very safe and happy holiday season!

Posted by: Michele at 12:22 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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