We want our Triangle area friends, family, and fans to be safe this season! To enjoy a wonderful holiday season, and to prevent injuries from Christmas trees, lights, and other holiday decorations, follow these holiday safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
1. Purchase a Fire Resistant or Fresh Tree
Buying the right Christmas tree is the first step to ensuring it doesn’t become a fire hazard. If you purchase an artificial tree this holiday season, purchase one that is labeled “fire resistant.” If you purchase a live tree, check that it is fresh — it should have green needles and sticky resin on the underside of the trunk.
2. Keep Your Tree Away from Heat Sources
For both artificial and live trees, ensure that your tree is placed far away from fireplaces, radiators, and lighted candles. If you purchase a live tree, take these extra precautions to ensure that it does not become a fire hazard in your home:
- Keep your live tree watered. Heated rooms can quickly dry out your tree.
- Cut a few inches off the trunk to expose the fresh wood. This will allow your tree to better absorb water.
- Use noncombustible materials to trim a tree.
Prevent injuries from indoor and outdoor lights by checking all sets of lights, both new and old, for cracked sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections. In addition, don’t overload your extension cord with multiple strands of lights; use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per extension cord.
4. Secure Outdoor Lights Against the Wind
If you have purchased outdoor lights, make sure you fasten them to your home’s walls or other solid supports with insulated staples or hooks.
5. Keep Fragile Decorations Out of Children’s Reach
Store breakable decorations out of sight or out of reach of children. You may also want to avoid tree decorations that resemble candy or food so children are not tempted to put the decorations in their mouths.
6. Keep Wrapping Paper Away from Fireplaces
When lighting fires, keep all flammable materials — including wrapping paper, tree boughs, and decorations — away from the open flames.
7. Follow Age Recommendations on Children’s Toys
Make sure that any gifts you purchase for children are age-appropriate. Some toys can have moving parts that pose a choking hazard for children under age 3. If the toy is age-appropriate, you may want to show the child how to use it.
8. Be Careful When Playing in the Snow
If it snows during the winter holidays, make sure that children have dry clothes and adult supervision at all times. In addition, keep children from using roads when sledding.
9. Create a List of Emergency Phone Numbers
Give a list of essential phone numbers, including the fire department and poison help line, to babysitters and family members in case of emergencies.
10. Follow These Essential Food Safety Tips
This holiday season, prepare your meals with safety in mind. Follow these tips to prevent food poisoning and other accidents.
- Fully cook raw meat and wash raw vegetables.
- Keep hot dishes out of reach of children.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Use separate utensils when preparing raw and cooked foods.
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
For all of your home buying and home selling needs, call us at Linda Craft & Team, REALTORS. As your local Raleigh real estate experts, we are here to help this holiday season!
To help you celebrate the season with your loved ones, we have Santa Claus coming to our office on Saturday, December 17, 10 AM – 2 PM! You’ll receive a free 5×7 photo with Santa. We hope to see you there!