Christmas Day is fast approaching, which means now’s the time to get those last few decorations in place. It’s easy to get into a frenzy and rush around, but don’t disregard your own safety to put on a Yuletide spectacle. Here’s how you can avoid injuring yourself and still put together the perfect setup.
1. Don’t string yourself out with the lights.
If you’ve ever seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, then you’ve witnessed exactly what NOT to do when hanging your lights. Nearly 6,000 people are injured during the holiday season each year due to falling off of a ladder. To keep you and your home protected, remember to:
If you’ve ever seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, then you’ve witnessed exactly what NOT to do when hanging your lights. Nearly 6,000 people are injured during the holiday season each year due to falling off of a ladder. To keep you and your home protected, remember to:
- Enlist the help of at least one other person
- Choose a ladder of the appropriate height
- Secure and stabilize your ladder
- Work during the day and in calm weather
- Check your light strands for faulty bulbs and exposed wires
- Utilize a timing system for your displays
2. Make sure your tree won’t come crashing down.
Whether you have an artificial tree or one straight from the forest, it’s important to keep it from tipping over onto someone. Find a tree that will fit your home and won’t need many alterations. Trimming branches and cutting down the trunk can make a tree less stable and more likely to fall. When you purchase your tree, also buy a stand suited for it and follow the stand’s directions during assembly.
Whether you have an artificial tree or one straight from the forest, it’s important to keep it from tipping over onto someone. Find a tree that will fit your home and won’t need many alterations. Trimming branches and cutting down the trunk can make a tree less stable and more likely to fall. When you purchase your tree, also buy a stand suited for it and follow the stand’s directions during assembly.
3. Stay on top of fire safety practices.
Before you start roasting chestnuts over a fire or accenting your dinner with candles, brush up on your fire safety. Clean out your fireplace and check that its components are working prior to striking a match. With candles, place them where children and pets can’t reach and topple them over. Keep the flames clear of any low-hanging decorations and especially watch your sleeves as you reach for another serving of Christmas pie. The best thing you can do is to have a fire extinguisher close by or stored in an easily accessible spot.
Before you start roasting chestnuts over a fire or accenting your dinner with candles, brush up on your fire safety. Clean out your fireplace and check that its components are working prior to striking a match. With candles, place them where children and pets can’t reach and topple them over. Keep the flames clear of any low-hanging decorations and especially watch your sleeves as you reach for another serving of Christmas pie. The best thing you can do is to have a fire extinguisher close by or stored in an easily accessible spot.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but it’s also one that needs an extra amount of caution. Make sure you take a moment for yourself to decompress and avoid a Noel-induced migraine. Have a safe and happy holiday!
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