Make holiday safety list, check it twice

We’re less than two weeks out from Christmas and by now you have finished, are finishing up or haven’t even started decorating. We don’t often think about safety when we’re decorating, but if we want to enjoy our holidays worry free, we should make a holiday safety check list — and check it twice.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, “fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more and cause over $990 million in damage each year.”

The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) in a press release reminds us that fires are just as likely, or more likely, to happen as Christmas trees begin to dry out and presents, wrapping paper and unattended decorations clutter the house.

FASNY offers several good tips for your holiday safety check list.

Christmas tree

• Check for dryness at the tree lot (check for falling needles). “A locally-grown tree from New York may be fresher than one brought in from out of state,” states the press release. Columbia County has several great tree farms that offer pre-cut and cut-your-own. To find out where, check out the “Farm Markets & Farm Stands” brochure online at www.columbiacountytourism.org.
• Avoid trees that may have been painted (to improve their appearance); the paint may be combustible.
• Saw off an inch or two from the trunk to keep it fresh and if left outside, place trunk in a bucket of water. Remember to keep your tree watered once inside.
• When you’re ready to dispose of the tree, don’t leave it inside and don’t rest it against the exterior of your home or building; both increase the chance of a fire, especially with a dry tree.

Decorations

• Choose flame-resistant, flame-retardant or noncombustible materials (look for designations on packages). And more lights are now more energy efficient.
• Inspect your lights, old or new; check for frayed cables or damaged or missing bulbs.
• Don’t overload extension cords, power strips or outlets; if using outside, make sure power chords are designated for outdoor use.
• For outside displays, it’s best to use timers. It not only lessens the risk of fire, but saves on your energy bills. Remember to turn off your indoor lights too.

Candles

• Don’t place candles near curtains, furniture, wrapped gifts or anything that can easily ignite.
• Place them where they can’t be knocked over and if you can, weigh them down. Keep them out of reach of young children and pets.
• Extinguish a candle before leaving a room; always extinguish before leaving home or going to bed (discourage candles where you may fall asleep). It’s recommended you extinguish before it burns within 2 inches of the holder.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of young children. Consider using battery-powered candles.

These tips may seem common place, but we get busy during the holidays and some of these things may go unnoticed. No one wants to spend the holidays out in the cold, in the emergency room or worse. We’re thankful to have volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel at the ready, but we don’t want to pull them away from their own holiday celebrations.

Safety first for the holidays. And while you’re at it, make sure your fireplace is Santa-ready!