Keeping Season Safe, Fire-Free
Every holiday season, about 2,000 people are injured because of fires. The U.S. Fire Administration has a few precautions to ensure a safe and happy holiday.
* Choose a freshly cut tree. Needles should be green and hard, and the trunk should feel sticky. Make sure the stand is filled with water at all times.
* Keep your tree away from heat sources, such as a fireplace.
* Inspect holiday lights for frayed wires, bare spots and gaps in insulation. Replace worn or damaged lights.
* When your tree becomes dry, discard it immediately.
* Never leave holiday lights on unattended.
* Do not overload electrical outlets. More than three light strands should not be linked unless the instructions indicate it’s safe.
* Never put lighted candles on a tree.
* Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace. The paper can induce dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup that could cause an explosion.
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Sources: National Center for Health Statistics, Johns Hopkins Family Health Book (HarperCollins, 1999)
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