Trees, garlands, wreaths and colored lights make the home look much nicer in the holiday season. But keep an eye on the other side of the coin: fires, falls, allergies and injuries. All that can happen if you are not alert. Take a few steps to ensure that this December will bring lots of fun and no regrets.
Your home may not look as pretty as the rest of the year in December, decorated with candles, the tree and hundreds of lights. But it is very important that along with the decorations and details, you are well aware of what can cause an accident. It is true that no one wants to think about it and less when the mood is festive, but statistics from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control leave no room for doubt:
- Each year just in the United States, fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of 400 people and leave wounds about 1,650. Christmas trees, natural or artificial, are items that tend to catch fire more easily and quickly.
- Fires caused by candles are one of the most common hazards during the holidays. Unfortunately, an average of 12,000 fires caused by candles occur each year.
- Around 5,800 people are injured from falls while decorating the home for the December holidays.
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Image © iStockphoto.com / Jacek Chabraszewski
Simply take a few steps to ensure that your home and your family are secure.Here are a few tips:
1. Beware of the tree. Increasingly people choose artificial trees. They are always green, even, also avoids having to buy one every year and protects the environment. If you buy an artificial Christmas tree, make sure the material is flame-resistant and the box tells you so. Follow the instructions carefully to build it, so it will not fall or be disarmed easily. And if you prefer natural trees, with their distinctive aroma, take your time choosing yours. Try to be nice and cool: strip the needles to make sure they are firmly attached to the branches and if the fingers bend, but not break should bow. Another sign of freshness is the cut area of tree: should ooze (sprout) resin and feel sticky to the touch. Calls will cut a few inches from the trunk to expose fresh wood and absorb water better than the base. The trunk should be very safe in it. Check the water frequently base, especially if your home needs heating which dries very quickly to natural trees.
2. Seek him an appropriate site . Sure you want the tree is the focal point of your decor and the attention of everyone who will visit these days. But beyond visibility and impact, think about convenience and safety. Try to be away from radiators, fireplaces and space heaters. Place it out of traffic areas and try not to block any door. Prevents cables garlands of lights are well covered so no one stumbles, or bite the dog!
3. Eye with decorations. To decorate the tree, window sills, doors, or the mantel, ornaments made with materials used nonflammable or flame resistant. If there are young children at home, avoid ornaments with sharp edges or points on which they can hurt. Are you going to use the last year? Taking them out of the boxes, check that they are in good condition, with no loose parts that children can swallow, and not covered with dust or mold. Thoroughly clean the surfaces that have glass or ceramic timber. It is better that you replace crowns or wreaths that are moldy or dusty to avoid allergic reactions.
4. Always turn off the candles. Admittedly that give a magical atmosphere, plus deodorizing. But never let on if you leave the room for a while, if you go to sleep or if you are leaving the house. Place on bases in the snug and collect the wax away from flammable materials such as branches, wood, cardboard or paper.Remember that the safest way is to decorate with candles in glass containers: the flame is still lit, protected from winds that shut down air or the spread in the environment.
5. Check the lights. If using garlands of lights last year, make sure you are in good condition, all the bulbs work and the cables are not frayed or broken. Do not put too many in a single extension or outlet to avoid overloading circuits and prevent a fire. To decorate the outside of the house, use lights listed for that purpose. By buying garlands of lights, or other electrical decorations, try to bear the stamp UL ( Underwriters Laboratories ), indicating that the product meets the highest safety requirements.
6. Work as a team. And especially if you place ornaments or lights in high places, trees or branches and if for that you need a ladder, try to be stable and solid, and you have someone willing to help support her, and overtake the tools you need. Avoid if possible do this dangerous job alone. If you fall or get hurt, nobody can help you.
Forestall is much better than cure, and in December, the saying has even greater relevance. Strive to make your home look cheerful and festive, but take care to make it the most beautiful and safe neighborhood.