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