Enjoy the Christmas Holidays – But Don’t Forget the Fire Hazards!
This posted this morning, but in case you missed it, it certainly bears repeating AND re-posting. So many people are careless with their live Christmas trees, and it's important to remember how to care for them. Since this is a re-post, I have disabled comments so that Chris can get the comments. Merry Christmas!
Enjoy the Christmas Holidays – But Don’t Forget the Fire Hazards!
Christmas is never complete without the Christmas tree, the beautiful lights, and the decorations. Oh, the fresh pine scent greeting you a beautiful December morning. Keep guarded, however, of the nasty statistics. Christmas trees cause about 450 fires every year resulting into unnecessary loss of 40 lives and $18 million worth property, plus a hundred injuries which could have been prevented otherwise. Everybody wants to enjoy the holidays, right? Keep it safe by arming yourself and your family with the following tips:
On the Christmas Tree
• If you’re buying a live tree:
o Check if a large chunk of pine needles are falling. If they do, it’s a dried tree posing a dangerous fire hazard.
o Let the live tree “drink” by making a fresh cut on the trunk. Salesmen are right in saying that “A Wet Tree is a Safe Tree.” Don’t forget to check the water levels when you wake up.
o Keep the tree far from a heater, your fireplace, or any combustible item.
• If you’re buying a fake tree, make sure it’s fire retardant.
On the Christmas Lights
• Examine the cords and bulbs for any fray, loose wire, chew or melting marks, or just any kind of damage even if minimal. Wire damage is usually the culprit behind household fires during the holiday season. The bulb has to sit well and firm on the socket.
• Avoid adding socket adapters that give more room for additional plugs. This is an additional fire hazard.
• Check the labels. If it has a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) sticker, logo, or seal, it’s guaranteed safe. Follow instructions too. If it says “indoors”, keep it indoor.
• Keep guard of any pet that may chew or create any kind of damage on the cord.
• Don’t forget to unplug the Christmas lights if no one’s going to be home.
Other things to remember:
• A fire extinguisher is your first line of defense if and when a Christmas tree fire breaks out. Be sure you have it, you know where it is, and you know how to use it.
• Make sure that all the smoke detectors are working. You’re better off being alerted first hand than discovering the house fire when it’s all too late.
• When family and friends visit, turn off the stove even if you’re in the middle of cooking. Better off than unattended.
• Reserve your candles for the most special occasion itself and keep it away from toddlers and (hyperactive) pets.
Have a Merry (and safe) Christmas! :)Tucson Home Search
Brought to you by Chris Pendleton at Tierra Antigua Realty
Professional Agents - Premier Results
Office: 520-2751663
Email: chris at iTucsonRealEstate.com
website: http://www.iTucsonRealEstate.com
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