Published: November 29, 2007 11:36 am            

Stay safe this holiday season

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The holidays are approaching, and homes are being decorated, lights strung and trees trimmed.

But all those lights, trees and cozy fireplaces can add up to a dangerous situation, and experts urge people to use caution when doing their holiday decorating.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, hospitals each year see around 12,800 patients for injuries resulting from incidents involving faulty lights, falls, dried-out Christmas trees, and other holiday mishaps.

The CPSC said Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires each year, resulting in an average of 10 deaths, 40 injuries and about $7 million in property damage or loss.

To help prevent a Christmas tragedy, OSU Agriculture Extension Educator Roger Williams provided a little advice on choosing the freshest and safest live Christmas tree.

"The biggest thing with a live Christmas tree is to get as fresh a tree as you can," said Williams. "Make sure the limbs bend easily, and make sure that when you get it home and cut the bottom off, to get it into the holder and the water as soon as possible. Don't cut it and go look for the holder or run to the store to buy one. The sooner you can get it in the water, the better."

Placement, said Williams, was also an important factor in keeping live trees green and moist.

"Don't put it right next to a fireplace or a heater," Williams said. "Try to keep it in as cool a place as possible."

Williams also advised Christmas decorators to use caution with electrical decorations, such as lights and extension cords.

"The little lights are so much safer these days, and should be used whenever it's possible," said Williams. "And make sure you have a good, heavy extension cord. You don't want to keep it under something; you want it out so the heat can dissipate."

Holiday decorations and children can also be a dangerous mix, and for Tahlequah resident Kelly Porter, doing all the family can to keep the kids safe is a priority.

"We don't buy the glass ornaments -- we try to use the ones that aren't breakable," said Porter. "We also don't allow the kids to plug and unplug the lights, and we try to keep all the cords secure and out of reach."

Williams urged extra caution around the house with holiday plants, especially around children and pets.

"So many of the plants associated with holidays have the reputation of being toxic. One in particular is the Easter lilly," said Williams. "Make sure they are out of reach of children and pets, and that your pets are not allergic."

Williams urged caution with certain food items as well.

"Whether it's Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween or Christmas, dogs and cats are always susceptible to chocolate poisoning," Williams said. "There is a compound present in chocolate that is similar to caffeine, that if eaten by a dog or cat, can damage the kidneys and kill them."



Garron Marsh writes for Tahlequah (Okla.) Daily Press.







Staying safe

The CSPC provided several safety tips designed to make the holidays pleasant and safe. For more safety advice, log on to www.cpsc.gov.



Trees and Decorations

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant". Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree is more resistant to burning.

• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry out live trees rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and do not block doorways.

• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp or breakable decorations, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.



Lights

• Indoors or outside, use only newer lights that have thicker wiring and are required to have safety fuses to prevent the wires from overheating.

• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets.

• If using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the intended use.

• When using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use and plug them in only ground-fault circuit interrupter protected receptacles.

• Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.



Candles

• Keep burning candles within sight and away from items that can burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, and decorations.

• Always use non-flammable holders and keep away from children and pets.

• Extinguish all candles before you go to bed or leave the house.



Fireplaces

• Place a screen around your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby flammable materials.

        

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