Skip to main content

Holiday Safety - Do You Decorate The Safe Way?

By
Have you finished (or at least started) your holiday decorating? I had a blast this year decorating with Lil Man. Everything was 'wow' and 'neat'. He loved putting up the tree and the ornaments. However, keeping the ornaments on the tree has been a challenge. 

But with holiday decorating also comes holiday safety (or sometimes lack thereof). Here are some helpful tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) 


"Follow these basic safety guidelines to help prevent serious electrical and fire hazards as you decorate your home and yard this season:

Christmas Trees

• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. 

• Cut 1-2 inches from the base of the trunk immediately before placing the tree in the stand and filling with water to ensure water absorption. 

• Because heated rooms dry out live trees rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water by refilling daily.

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” This label indicates that the tree is more resistant to burning.

• Don’t use electrical ornaments or light strings on artificial trees with metallic leaves or branch coverings.

• Place your tree at least 3 feet away from all heat sources, including fireplaces, radiators, and space heaters.

• When trimming a tree, only use non-combustible or flame-resistant materials.

Candles

• Avoid using candles when possible. Consider using battery-operated candles in place of traditional candles.

• Never leave an open flame unattended. Keep burning candles within sight.

• Place lighted candles away from combustible material such as other decorations and wrapping paper.

• Take care to place candle displays in locations where they cannot be knocked over.

• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other greenery. 

• Extinguish all candles before you go to sleep, leave the room, or leave the house.

Did You Know?

160 home fires per year begin with holiday lights and other decorative lighting, causing an average of 8 deaths, 14 injuries, and $8.5 million in property damage (NFPA)." (above info from ESFI)

I've never used battery-operated candles, but this year I gave them a try. And I have to say that Lil Man loved them and so did I. I of course wouldn't have an open flame where he could burn himself or knock it over. But with these battery-operated candles, I didn't have to worry about that. I also tried out some battery-operated lights. Those were also a big hit. Now, I don't leave them on constantly. So I'm not sure about battery life. But so far the batteries are holding up to how we are currently using them. 

All lights are battery-operated

In addition to battery-operated candles, we also utilized a surge protector, and LED lights. LED lights last longer than traditional incandescent lights, and they generate less heat. 


This holiday season we enjoying decorating while trying to be aware of safety. How are you staying safe during the holidays? 


If you like what you just read please click to send a quick vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs- The best mommy blog directory featuring top mom bloggers

Full Disclosure: ESFI provided me with a decorating safety kit free of charge for the purpose of providing a review. My opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
Labels:

Comments

  1. TammieDecember 20, 2013 at 4:03 AM

    I use candles as my Christmas decoration. But every time when we are going to bed, I make sure that the light goes out.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2 Weeks Post Mohs Surgery

By
May 26, 2021 3:40pm  Finally, the phone call that I'd been waiting on. It was the Medical Center. ( Finally, we can schedule my surgery. ) She tells me who she is, and then tells me that she has a cancellation for tomorrow. ( Me stammering... )  "Ok, but I was thinking the end of June."   Then I hear "We just had a moment to look at your file. We really don't think that you should wait. We really think you should come in tomorrow at 8:15am" ( Me stammering again ) "Ok, I'll be there."  Wait, what? My mind is all over the place. I'm supposed to work. How am I going to get our son to school? Will my husband be able to go with me on such short notice. I expected this to be the end of June, not tomorrow. I'm not prepared! I was overcome with emotion.  May 26, 2021 Surgery Day I woke up at 1am with a horrible headache. By the time we arrived at the surgery center, I was definitely a bundle of nerves. I got checked in, went through the usual ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Feel All the Feels Then Deal

By
Not what I expected when the phone rang. It was a routine dermatology appointment.  "Do you have any concerns?" “Yes, a small spot on my face. It comes and goes. Two weeks ago it had disappeared (again). So I'm actually glad that it’s back.”  It was the size of a pin head. It was teeny tiny. A nuisance, but not something that really seemed to bother me. “I suspect that it’s skin cancer.”  “So, we just burn if off, right?” “No, it needs to be cut out and sent to the lab.” I was not prepared for this. It’s on my lip! She’s going to cut a hole in my lip! She warns me that the shot is going to hurt and possibly a lot. She tells me this several times. (I’m thinking surely it can’t be that bad.)  I was wrong.  It hurt.  A lot.  I’m creeped out at the thoughts of her taking a chunk off of my face at the top of my lip. I’m even more creeped out as she tells me she’s going to burn it to stop the bleeding. Time and time again I hear the sizzle and the smell is n...
Post a Comment
Read more

It's Been a Hot Minute

By
It's been a hot minute since I've written anything.... over a year. Between being a mom, full time student, and a substitute teacher during a pandemic, writing hasn't been a priority. More than once,  I've felt like I was in survival mode with classes. I didn't expect early block  to be so intense.  I admit that I broke down and cried several times this semester with feeling overwhelmed. But, I endured until the end, and I got straight A's for the semester. I'm proud of myself that I didn't give up. I am enrolled in 2 summer class, and 4 fall classes and studying for standardized tests that I must pass before I can begin my student internship.  I will be close to 50 when I graduate. Am I too old to do this? Who starts a career at 50????? I guess I do. I don't know what's going to happen when I graduate. I do know that I am enjoying the course work, and I'm enjoying being able to put what I have learned into practice as a substitute.  This sch...
Post a Comment
Read more