Christmas Safety

Tis the season...to be extra cautious! The holidays unfortunately have many downsides that may not have you singing fa la la la la. With a few precautionary tips and a little common sense, practicing Christmas safety will greatly reduce your risk of becoming a statistic this holiday season.

Christmas Safety for Trees

Each year fires occurring during the holidays claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage according to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), yet most could have been prevented.

A live Christmas tree can become engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds. Choose your tree carefully. When shopping for a tree, bounce it on its trunk a few times. Very few of its needles should fall off. A lot of needles indicate that the tree has been around for a while and could pose a fire risk. Cutting down your own tree at a tree farm is not only a fun family outing, it also guarantees you a fresh tree.

Keep the tree well watered. A check of the water level in the stand should be a daily habit. Keep your tree away from any type of heat source such as fireplaces, radiators, heat vents and even candles.

After the holidays, the sooner you dispose of your tree, the better. Don't push it!

Christmas Safety for Lights

Even if new, inspect your lights for wear before using. Look for frayed wires, broken insulation or cracked sockets. Discard or return lights showing any signs of these fire risks. Plug them in to assure they are all in working order. This will help you discover any other flaws.

Do not overload your electrical outlets with to many lights. If possible use several different outlets. Read the instructions to determine how many strands you can safely link together. If using an extension cord, use one that is adequate in thickness to handle the load. Check this by touch. If your extension cord gets even slightly warm while powering the lights, replace it with a larger size. Check this every now and then.

If using lights outside, be sure they are clearly marked as safe for outside use.

Do not leave Christmas lights unattended. Turn them off when leaving or going to bed.

Christmas Safety for Decorations

Use nonflammable or flame-retardant decorations. Keep them away from heat sources.

If using candles, assure they are placed in a stable holder. Place them carefully so they cannot be knocked over or pulled off of a table by your little ones. Never leave the house or go to bed without extinguishing all lit candles.

Keep electrical cords, decorations and trees out of the way. Do not create a tripping hazard.

Keep small decorations in places where small children can't get to them. Many are a choking risk and some are toxic if swallowed.

Christmas is the season when fireplaces are used most often. Practice Christmas safety here as well. When was the last time yours was checked? Now might be a good time to call a chimney sweep if your chimney hasn't been cleaned in a while. Also, remember to open the flue before starting a fire. Don't laugh. It happens more than you would think, leaving the room full of smoke and uninhabitable.

Christmas Safety for Travel

Most people will do some type of driving during the holidays. Extra precautions should be exercised here also. People in a hurry, driving in unfamiliar areas, inclement weather and those that have had a bit to much holiday "cheer" all pose additional threats on the road during the holidays. Take your time, be alert for other drivers and practice safe driving. Don't take shortcuts with the seat belts, nor the child seats. Secure all packages safely on the floor, in the trunk or storage compartment.

If you are going to travel by air, bus or by other means, stay aware of your surroundings. Terminals and depots are where the bad guys do their Christmas shopping. A tired traveler overloaded with packages and luggage are the perfect target for these scum. Never leave any of your belongings unattended. Keep family or friends together. Several people in a group are a great deterrent, as you're not as easy a mark for these guys. Keep cash, credit cards and other valuables on your person in a secure pocket. If possible, put cash, credit cards and keys in different locations. Assure yourself that even the best purse snatcher or pick-pocket will fail if they target you.

Christmas Safety for Shopping

Everything mentioned in Christmas Safety for Travel applies here.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. This will minimize your loss should things go sour. Try not to use an ATM machine but if you must, be sure to protect your password from prying eyes.

If the store or mall you are visiting offers lockers, utilize them. Your valuables should be in your pants pocket or in the pocket of a tight fitting jacket or sweatshirt. A purse or backpack is a big temptation to thieves. Be extra careful when in a crowded situation where people are bumping into one another. Pick-pockets thrive in this type of environment.

Stay extremely alert while in the parking lot. Place your valuables in the trunk and be sure to lock your car.

A little common sense and keen observation goes a long way when it comes to Christmas safety. In addition, now might be a good time for a house safety review. Check the smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Replace the batteries since you'll be buying plenty for all the new toys. If you don't already have a home escape plan, now is the time to implement one. If you have one in place, practice it.

With that done, once again go check the water in the tree stand and see how warm that extension cord is getting.