TIPS YOU CAN USE: MAKE SURE YOUR HOLIDAY DECORATIONS ARE SAFE TO USE
Each year holiday season fires injure 2,600 individuals and cause over
$930 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration
(USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe
and happy holiday. By following some of these precautionary tips, you can
greatly reduce your chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.
Christmas trees--When buying a live tree, make sure the needles are green.
The needles should not break if the tree is freshly cut. If you bounce the
tree on the ground and needles fall off, the tree is too dry and should
not be used. When you put the tree up in your home, be sure to keep it
away from heat sources. Don't put it up too early and don't leave it up
for more than 2 weeks. Always be sure that it has plenty of water. When
you take the tree down, do not burn it in the fireplace. Recycle it or
have it hauled away by a community pick-up service.
Holiday lights--Before using your lights, inspect them for bare spots or
frayed wires, and use only lights that have been approved by a testing
lab. Be sure not to overload your circuits--the best way to do this is to
avoid stringing together more than 3 strands of lights. And never leave
your holiday lights unattended.
Holiday decorations--All such decorations should be flame resistant. Be
sure to place them away from heat sources. You should not burn wrapping
paper in your fireplace. Such a fire may throw off sparks or produce a
chemical build-up that could cause an explosion.
Candles--Always place candles in steady holders where they can't be easily
knocked over, and do not go out of the house with candles burning. If you
do use candles during the holidays, be sure to have a fire extinguisher
nearby.
Smoke Alarms--Each year at Christmas is an excellent time to change the
batteries in your smoke alarm. If your smoke alarm is hard-wired into the
home's electrical system, be sure that it is working.
For more on holiday safety, please contact our office. This article is brought to you by Peter Tuttle, CPA at Cool Springs Insurance.com. You may contact me by sending an e-mail via the link to the right of my active rain blog page. Please visit my website at http://www.petertuttlecpa.com/
"I help individuals, families, small-businesses & non-profits with their income tax & insurance needs."
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