Holiday Safety

Follow these tips to keep your family safe during the holidays.

• Never use lighted candles on or near the tree or other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders and place candles where children and pets cannot knock them over.
• Consider using reusable gift bags over wrapping paper. Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace as flash fires may result.
• Keep fireplace screens in place at all times. Ashes should be disposed of in a metal container.
• Live trees should be green, needles hard to pull from branches. Check the water level daily.
• Look for "Fire Resistant" artificial trees which indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. Place trees away from fireplaces and radiators.
• Check the lights for frayed cords, bare wires, loose connections, and broken plugs or sockets. Never use more then 3 sets of lights per extension cord.
• Turn all tree lights off when no one is home or when everyone is sleeping.

Source: Helpful hints to keep your holiday safe. (1999, November). Connected: A Newsletter for Energy Customers, 5.