The Hidden Dangers of Holiday Decorating

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