Safety and Cost Savings Tips for the Holiday Season
While I realize I should have written this blog a month ago, I hope it is still valuable in 2020 and for years to come.
Your Tree
Artificial Trees
- Make sure you purchase one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant
- Select pre-lit trees that have been certified with the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) mark or ETL (Intertek)
- Each light string should have the UL mark near the plug. Green means approved for indoor use and red indicates outdoor use.
Real Trees
- Look for a well hydrated tree and be sure to keep it watered
- Make sure your tree stand is big enough to hold enough water to keep your tree healthy
- A sticky sappy tree indicates a healthy tree
General Tree Safety Tips
- Inspect light strings for frayed or loose wires before hanging
- Remember that it isn’t just the tree starting a fire, but how fast a tree can accelerate a fire from another source
- Don’t have candles near your tree and make sure candles are displayed safely and never left unattended
- Turn off all tree lights and holiday decorations when you go to bed at night or leave the house
- When purchasing lights or other decorations, make sure you send in any warranty info so you are notified immediately of any product recalls
- Make sure you purchase any electrical holiday decorations from reputable retailers
- Don’t overload outlets
- Don’t put cords under rugs or furniture
Cost Savings Tips
- LED lights are more expensive but they last 20 times longer
- Artificial trees cost 70% less over 10 years according to the American Christmas Tree Association
- Purchase lights, trees and decorations AFTER Christmas when everything is on sale!
- Here are some fun Christmas decoration savings tips
Childproofing for the Holidays
Decorations
- Make sure electrical cords are out of the way of children and supervise small children carefully around Christmas trees and electrical cords
- Cover unused outlets with proper safety covers
- Make sure tiny ornaments and metal hooks are kept on the top of the tree and out of the reach of small children as they can pose a choking hazard
- Also try to keep glass or breakable ornaments toward the top of the tree
- Be aware that strings of garland, lights or other decorations can be a strangulation hazard
- Try the battery operated candles for a safe lit look
- Pay attention to any age recommendations on large decorations such as trains or moving santa’s
While I’m sticking to home issues, check out 8 Tips to Help You Pick Out Safe Christmas Gifts for Kids
Outdoor Decorating
- Just like with indoor lights, inspect them for damage and missing bulbs
- Outdoor lights should have the same UI labels as indoor lights and will be marked red
- Don’t hammer nails or tacks into cords when hanging lights – using clips is the safest
- Only use outdoor extension cords and lights
- Don’t overload extension cords – Only 3 light strings per cord is recommended
- Use proper GFCI protocol – it is against code to use non GFCI outlets for outdoor lights (read more about GFCI Safety)
- Be safe when using a ladder to hang lights and decorations – be sure it is on sturdy ground and don’t get it near power lines
- Keep all outdoor decorations away from power lines
- Turn off lights when you go to bed or put them on a timer
General Holiday Safety
- Have an up to date fire extinguisher in a easy to find place and make sure everyone in the house knows how to use it
- Check all smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide alarms
- Make sure you keep walkways, driveways and stairs shoveled and iced as to prevent and slip and falls
- Be sure your fireplace flue is clean and never leave fires unattended
- Don’t drink and drive and make sure your guests are safe to drive as well
For a more on how to have a happy and healthy holiday, read Holiday Safety Tips: A Comprehensive Resource
I hope these safety tips help keep your family safe during this holiday season and for many more to come. From my family to yours, Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!