| Decorating for the holidays is a fun way for | | | | plug into a socket ? you may need to use an |
| you and your family to prepare for the | | | | extension cord to properly fit your light |
| Christmas season. Hanging ornaments on the | | | | string to your electricity source. |
| tree, stringing lights along your eves and | | | | |
| letting little ones help with the holiday | | | | ? After decorating pay close attention to |
| decorating are all a wonderful part of the | | | | everyday safety. Christmas lights and candles |
| season. | | | | are a fire risk, so monitor them closely. |
| | | | Anything that creates heat should be not be |
| ?But,? Says Christie MacLachlan of | | | | put near Christmas trees or any flammable |
| Christmastime site ?with all the joy and | | | | material and should not be left on when you |
| excitement surrounding Christmas it can be | | | | are not there to keep an eye on them. Also |
| easy to forget that there are some real | | | | make sure that none of your decorations |
| dangers involved in adorning your home and | | | | obstruct any high traffic areas. Place |
| living with holiday decorations day to day.? | | | | decorations away from spots where they are at |
| | | | risk of tripping or injuring someone. |
| According to the US National Center for | | | | |
| Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and the | | | | ? Children are especially susceptible to |
| National Protection Agency, it is estimated | | | | injury from Christmas decorations. The |
| that nearly 6000 injuries, 33 deaths and 600 | | | | twinkling lights and unusual shapes are a |
| fires a year occur as a result of decorating | | | | major attraction to little fingers. Kids are |
| for Christmas. Added to the over 23 million | | | | especially at risk for burns and |
| dollars in property damage caused during the | | | | electrocutions - they might not think twice |
| holidays, a significant amount of risk is | | | | about putting their hands up to flames or |
| involved in decorating your home for the | | | | playing with wires and electrical sockets. |
| holidays! | | | | |
| | | | ? Be aware of your fragile glass decorations, |
| The most common Christmastime injuries come | | | | too. Broken decorations are a choking hazard |
| from climbing and reaching, followed closely | | | | for children and can cause serious scratches |
| by electrocution and fires caused by improper | | | | and cuts. The best way to keep little ones |
| handling of Christmas lights. Balancing on | | | | safe is to hang all decorations far out of |
| furniture such as couches and chairs that | | | | reach! Also, parents should be mindful of |
| aren't meant for climbing is the easiest way | | | | poisonous plants such as poinsettia, which |
| to get hurt. It's easy to prevent injury | | | | can harm children and pets if consumed. |
| while decorating for Christmas, though! | | | | |
| MacLachlan sites these simple tips to | | | | ?Keep your Christmas decorating safe this |
| improving your holiday safety. | | | | year by being aware of the dangers and |
| | | | working to prevent accidents,? says |
| ? Make sure you follow safe practices when | | | | MacLachlan. Practice common sense holiday |
| working up high. Always use ladders for | | | | safety throughout your home this season so |
| climbing and don't overextend your reach. | | | | you and your family can enjoy and happy |
| Check that your ladder is sturdy and be sure | | | | accident and injury-free Christmas. |
| to have someone hold the bottom so that it | | | | |
| doesn't slip. For extra safety, you can hire | | | | Catherine Spelling absolutely loves spending |
| a professional roofer to put up your roof top | | | | Christmas with family and friends. When she |
| decorations. | | | | is not counting down the days until |
| | | | Christmas, she writes for ? an online |
| ? When you're installing your Christmas | | | | resources for all things relating to |
| lights make sure they are undamaged. Frayed | | | | Christmas and decorations, with information |
| strings and exposed wires can cause a serious | | | | about Christmas tree ornaments, Christmas |
| risk of electrocution both inside and | | | | candles, Christmas lights and more. |
| outside. Also, do not ever try to force a | | | | |