Whether you lean toward the Clark Griswold end of the Christmas spectrum or you’re more of minimalist, you can help make the holidays more merry by keeping safety first.
Christmas trees and plants
According to Salina Fire Marshal Troy Long, Christmas trees should be at least three feet away from any heat sources. So while your tree would look stunning next to the fireplace and be more convenient for Santa, don’t do it!
If you’re using a live tree — one that was cut down before it was sold to you — make sure you keep it well watered, Long said. Add water to the reservoir of the tree stand daily. Also be sure to cut two inches from the base of the trunk before you put the tree in the stand so that it can absorb water more readily.
If you are using an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled fire resistant.
Regardless of whether you are using a live or artificial tree, make sure it has a stable platform/stand to keep it from falling on someone. Also make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
Long also said that decorators need to plug their tree lights into a GFCI breaker, such as a power strip. Be sure to check light cords for fraying, bare spots, loose connections, and excessive kinking in the wires. If you find any of those, replace the entire strand of lights. Don’t overload your electrical circuits. Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Additionally, be sure to unplug all tree lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.
Never use lit candles to decorate the tree. Additionally, never leave burning candles unattended or sleep in a room with a lit candle.
If you’re planning to use angel hair in your decorating, be careful! Angel hair is made from spun glass and can irritate your eyes and skin. Be sure to wear gloves when placing the angel hair or substitute non-flammable cotton for the angel hair. Additionally, spraying artificial snow can irritate your lungs if inhaled, so follow directions carefully.
When decorating your tree or placing other decorations, use a step stool or ladder to reach high places. Don’t just stand on a chair or the end of the sofa!
Decorate your tree with your children and pets in mind. Move ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks out of reach of both children and pets.
Once Christmas is over, be sure to properly dispose of your live tree. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, nor should they be left leaning on the outside of the home. Check to see if your community has a Christmas tree recycling program. If you live in Salina, you can take your tree to one of four locations. (Read the Salina tree recycling story here.)
Also make sure to keep decorative holiday plants that may be poisonous — including poinsettias — out of the reach of children and pets. Poison Control at the National Capital Poison Center can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 or call 911.
Safe gift giving
While we’ve heard of avoiding toys with small parts for infants and small children because of the choking hazard the small parts present, there also are some other factors to consider when purchasing gifts.
When choosing gifts for senior citizens, choose items that are not heavy or awkward to handle.
Additionally, be aware of the dangers associated with coin lithium batteries. According to the National Capital Poison Center, “swallowed batteries burn through a child’s esophagus in just 2 hours, leading to surgery, months with feeding and breathing tubes, and even death. About the size of a nickel, 20 mm, 3-volt lithium coin cells are the most hazardous as they are big enough to get stuck and burn faster. Secure battery compartments and keep loose batteries away from children.”
Keeping these safety tips in mind as you decorate or purchase gifts can help make the season brighter.
The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) and the National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) contributed to this story.