How to Make Sure Your Home is Safe for the Holidays

As the holidays are coming close we need to protect our little one and our homes from fire. The nights have gotten colder and the days shorter…yes, the holiday season has arrived. Evenings and weekends are about to be filled with trips to the mall, visiting relatives, and happy children.

The holidays are so busy that you may not have time to finish everything you need to do, let alone make time for thoughtful preparation. I have put together a guide for safety during the holidays for you and your family. Christmas is a time for Families, Fun, and Festivities! A time of family gatherings and holiday meals. A time for Santa, stars, and singing carolers. A time for ornaments, gifts, and twinkling lights. Of sleigh rides, hot cocoa, and gingerbread cookies.

Christmas Trees:
• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Holiday Parties
Family gatherings are common during the holidays. Whether you are entertaining in your own home, or visiting someone else's, there are a few things you can do to keep baby out of harm's way.
• Don't assume your baby is being supervised just because she is sitting in the middle of a room full of people. Designate care-givers if you will be running errands or cooking. Always know who is watching your baby.
• When visiting other people's homes, ask the host if you can move small breakable and dangerous items to higher places. Work with your host to ensure doors to bathrooms and stairways are closed.
• Keep your baby away from all plants. Some traditional Christmas plants are poisonous such as mistletoe (berries), holly and poinsettia.

Holiday 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.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
• A smoke screen, smoke detectors and a Class A fire extinguisher should all be on hand near a fireplace. Also, a window near the fireplace should be left slightly ajar to make sure the fire gets enough air to burn well. And never burn anything but dry kindling, seasoned wood-hard wood is best-and newspaper. Christmas wrapping paper and cardboard boxes create a lot of creosote when burned, which can easily result in a chimney fire.

Naturally your child will be fascinated by the lights, ornaments, and colorful packages. If your tree isn't anchored securely to its stand, she may reach for a low-hanging bough and pull the whole thing down on top of her. You already know that most young children will put almost anything in their mouths, so watch where you're leaving that bowl of tiny pinecones or potpourri. Wreaths, ornaments, nativity scenes, and other decorations with unsecured pieces become choking hazards within reach of little hands. Be sure to keep them and any holiday candy dishes, especially those containing nuts, M&M's, and hard candies, on high tables or counters. Finally, clean up carefully when wrapping presents.