As we approach the holiday season, we look forward to baking cookies, decorating tinsel-draped trees, and putting the blowup dreidel in the front yard. Presents must be wrapped and stockings hung; this is the month we plan to see our family and friends for festivities. To ensure that our celebrations are fun and safe, here are a few tips to remember.
Safety Fact:
According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC) approximately one fifth of all injuries from holiday decorations were associated with Christmas tree lights.1
Safety Tips:
-Examine your string lights to ensure that all the bulbs are intact. If the glass is shattered or missing, you can get a shock from the exposed wires.
-If replacing a burnt out or missing bulb, make sure the new bulb has the same voltage. This is important to prevent overheating, melting, and a possible fire.
-Keep pets like cats (who like to climb) and dogs (whose tails can be unpredictable) secluded from Christmas trees and strung lights. They can get caught in the string lights or knock trees over.
-Never light candles anywhere near a live tree. Live trees can dry out indoors and become a severe fire hazard. Lit candles are a bad idea around real trees, garland, or paper ornaments.
-Shopping during the holidays can be exhausting. Avoid the lines and start early or shop online if possible.
-Support your local businesses! Shop year-round and have extra gifts on hand for last-minute surprises.
-If shopping online, make sure you are paying attention to the ‘delivered by’ date, so your gift arrives in time!
-If you’re driving during the holidays and live northern states, give yourself extra time as road conditions can get icy. Many people take to the roads to see family and friends. Winter weather makes driving hazardous and unpredictable.
-Air travel can be congested during the holiday season. Presently, 43% of American adults plan to travel during the holiday season in 2023. 2 Download your airline carrier’s app in advance so you can monitor cancellations and delays. Apps allow you to rebook your flight without calling or visiting the desk.
