Plants like mistletoe and holly berries can be poisonous to kids and pets. Old tinsel may contain lead. Get rid of it if you are not sure what it's made of. © iStockphoto.com/Rob BelknapBy Diane Griffith, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth
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With another holiday season fast approaching, many of us look forward to family traditions and holiday parties. A little added caution can ensure that your holidays remain safe and healthy. Keep in mind the following tips while planning your holiday season this year.
Christmas tree and decorations
- Make sure that the tree you buy is fresh. If possible, cut the tree down yourself. Many tree farms let you tag a tree ahead of time and have it cut down on the day you take it home. A tree that is fresh will not lose many of its needles when shaken. Give the tree the "shake test" before you buy it. Find another if the needles are dry and falling off. The trunk of a fresh tree is sticky with resin and should not feel dry to the touch.
- Be sure that your tree is stable and won't fall over and injure a small child or pet. Use rope or heavy string to secure the tree if needed. Place it so that it's not blocking doorways, stairs or other exits.
- Keep your tree away from fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, wall furnaces and heaters. Never use lit candles to decorate your tree.
- Beware of decorations that could be toxic. Plants like mistletoe and holly berries can be poisonous to kids and pets. Old tinsel may contain lead. Get rid of it if you are not sure what it's made of.
- Don't let your pet drink stagnant Christmas tree water. It's a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Water the tree daily. Live trees dry out quickly in heated homes. Dispose of a live tree when the needles start falling off in large quantities.
Artificial lights and decorations
- Buy only lights that bear a UL mark. It means engineers have tested samples for fire and shock hazards. Lights with the green holographic UL label are for indoor use. A red UL mark means the lights can be used either inside or out.
- Before stringing the lights on the tree, make sure they are in working order. Discard any lights that have frayed wires or broken sockets. Don't use more than three standard-size sets of lights per extension cord or you may overload electrical circuits.
- Turn off all tree lights when you are away or in bed. The lights could short out and start a fire. Try putting the lights on a timer to go off at bedtime.
- Take down outdoor lighting when the holiday season is finished. Lighting should not be exposed to outside elements for long periods of time.
Using a fireplace
- Before using your fireplace, remove all hazards. This includes decorations and ornaments on the mantle that may be hanging too close to the fire. Also, your tree should be nowhere near the fire.
- Check to see if your chimney needs cleaning. Once you're ready, make sure the flue is open. The fireplace opening should be completely covered by a screen, too.
- Never burn anything but wood in your fireplace. Wrappings and evergreen branches can burn very quickly, throwing off sparks and burning debris.
- Have a working fire extinguisher in your home, and make sure your family members know how to use it. Also, make the holiday season your regular time to check your smoke detectors.
View the original Holiday safety tips article on myOptumHealth.com
SOURCES:
- Naval Safety Center. Christmas tree safety tips. Accessed: 12/09/2008
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC warns: Avoid hazards related to holiday decorating. Accessed: 12/09/2008
- The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. ASPCA news alert. Accessed: 12/09/2008
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Holiday decoration safety tips. Accessed: 11/21/2008
