How to Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

The holiday season is all about happiness and joy. To make sure we keep that happiness and joy we should practice safety in all aspects of our lives. The holiday season is a busy and exciting period. We often get caught up in the hustle and bustle and don't pay attention to the little details that ensure safety. Yet those same little details can end up costing us, big time. Those neglected little details can sometimes end up ruining our holiday season and maybe even a lot more than that.

So enjoy your holidays but keep safety in your mind as you begin the many preparations for the season. Of course one of the first things to come during the holiday season is the decorations. What is the holiday season without all the beautiful lights and displays? Decorate to your heart's content, but make sure your decorations are safe. By that I mean, inspect your lights for worn or burnt wires before you string them up. This may take you a few minutes, but it could very well save you a lot more than time.

Use the appropriate extension cords when plugging your lights up. Don't use an inside cord for your outside lights. And, as with the lights, inspect the extension cords for worn or frayed areas. Keep the cords out of the walk paths. If you have to cover them, make sure there won't be any danger of the cords getting damaged by the weight of the cover. And it is a good idea to have some off time for the lights. You might want to use a timer to set the on and off times so you don't have to keep plugging and unplugging them.

And as you climb that ladder to get up to the roof, remember your safety. Have someone else holding the ladder if possible. Watch for slippery patches on the roof. Never lean out too far when hanging your lights and decorations. Do not strain or lift more than you can safely. It's not worth falling or pulling your back out trying to lift a sleigh up to the roof. Especially when your teenage son will be home in a hour or two. If you don't have a teenage son, offer to help your neighbor if he will help you. Many things are so much easier with two more hands.

Inside, remember to keep your live Christmas tree well watered. And always, always, turn the lights off before you go to bed. I don't care how pretty it looks, it just isn't worth waking up to a flaming house. Even if you have a fake tree, still turn the lights off before retiring for the night. It's just so much safer.

Oh, and those lovely candles with their cinnamon and pumpkin scent need to be extinguished before bedtime. And never place them close to any flammable material. By that, I mean curtains, tablecloths, and dried pine tree needles. They should also be kept up high enough that pets or children can't get to them or knock them over. Candles should always be placed on glass or metal if possible. Try not to place them on wood. Even placed on glass plates, candles put off more heat than people realize.

Fireplaces and space heaters are used a lot more through the holiday seasons as well as cold spells. Make sure before you go to bed at night that yours is safe and secure. If you don't absolutely need the heat, then put the flames out in the fireplace and turn the heaters off.

These are just a few little tips to help you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season. But safety is something that should be practiced all year long. Remember, be safe, be happy.