The holiday season is upon us! Decorating is one of the most fun ways to get in a festive spirit, but emergency rooms across the country see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season. And nobody wants to have the fire department called to their home because of a fire.
Thanksgiving Day is actually one of the most common days for issues to arise and calls to be made to emergency rooms or fire departments.
Aksarben Property Management encourages our clients and property owners to celebrate the season responsibly. Here are some tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to help keep you, your loves ones and your home safe:
● Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights
● Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections
● Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket
● Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow
● Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house
● If using an artificial tree, make sure that it is labeled “fire resistant”
● If using a live tree, cut off approximately 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water it and remove it from your home when it is dry
● Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways
● Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them
It’s not just about decorating, though. There will be plenty of cooking going on throughout the week of Thanksgiving, as the kitchen is arguably the heart of the home during the holidays. We want to make sure fire safety is on your mind amid all the fun happening during throughout winter, so here are some safety tips we’re sharing from the National Fire Protection Association to keep in mind this holiday season:
● Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
● Stay at home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently. We also recommend not cooking your turkey at a high temperature and investing in a meat thermometer, because nobody wants a “Christmas Vacation” turkey situation going on.
● Keep children away from the stove.
● Keep knives out of the reach of children.
● Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
● Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
● Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
● Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
● Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
Enjoy the holidays this season — just be safe while you’re doing it!