With the Christmas season upon us it is time once again to decorate the tree, string lights around the house, and shop, bake and entertain! Though it can be our favorite season of the year, it can also be the busiest! While it is fine to enjoy all the holiday parties and events, make sure you take time to stop and smell the pine needles. Schedule some family time to just drink hot chocolate and play board games, or snuggle up and watch some classic holiday TV shows and movies. What children appreciate more than the newest toy or game, is time with their parents and grandparents.

Additionally, don’t let busyness cause you to take short cuts when decorating that might jeopardize your family’s health and safety. Nothing will dampen the holiday spirit faster than a fire or accident. Here are some safety tips given by the American Academy of Pediatrics and augmented with some of my own.

Christmas Trees

A beautifully decorated Christmas tree sets the mood for our holiday celebrations. Here are some tips to making sure your tree is safe and healthy:

• If buying an artificial tree, make sure it is “fire resistant.” But remember there is a difference between fire resistant and fire proof. A fire resistant tree can still catch on fire, so keep it away from open flames.
• If your child has asthma or allergies check with your pediatrician or allergist before purchasing a live tree. A live tree indoors may trigger allergic responses in some children.
• If you choose to buy a live tree, always check it for freshness. Needles should be green and should not fall off the branch when you shake it or tap it on the ground. You can also check for freshness by taking a few needles and trying to snap them in half. Fresh needles will bend, not snap. Finally, the trunk of the tree should be sticky, not dry.
• When you get your tree home, do not place it near a fireplace (especially a wood burning fireplace), radiator, portable heater or candles.
• Make sure your tree is out of traffic areas and won’t be plowed down by running children. Additionally it should not block any exits—especially fire exits–in your home.
• Keep fresh trees watered at all times. They are very thirsty and the heat of the house can quickly dry them out, making them dangerously flammable.

Lights

Nothing adds to holiday cheer more than beautiful strands of lights, whether they are sparkling against the needles on your tree or hanging like icicles around your house. But when you deal with lights you are dealing with electricity and great care should always be taken. Here are some safety tips:

• Check all tree lights before hanging them. Make sure bulbs work and there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
• Only use lights that have been tested by a recognized testing laboratory—these lights will have UL or ETL on the packaging.
• When hanging lights outside, use only outdoor certified lights.
• Only use lights with fuses in the plugs.
• Replace damaged bulbs with the same wattage bulbs, never higher.
• Never use electric lights on metallic trees. The tree can become electrically charged from a faulty light causing electric shock injuries.
• When hanging outdoor lights, string them through hooks or insulated staples. Do not use nails or tacks to hang lights.
• Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes.
• Make sure lights are secure–they will be subject to winter snow, wind, ice etc.
• Do not plug more than three strands of lights into one extension cord.
• All outdoor lights and electric decorations should be plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). You can purchase these where electrical supplies are sold, or have an electrician permanently install them.
• When it is time to remove strands of lights, do not tug or pull on them–this can damage the wires.
• Always remember to turn off Christmas lights when leaving the house.

In part two we will discuss decorations and toy safety. Until them enjoy your holidays and remember: you’re not just celebrating Christmas, you are making memories that last a lifetime! Have a very Merry Christmas!

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