Home and Business
Security and camera systems and Alarm in Cleveland OH
|
Put Safety First to Protect the Home in Holiday
Decorating
reprinted from
www.chattanoogan.com Annual Increase Reported in Residential Fires in December posted November 27, 2005 visit
www.adtus.com or
www.sekureamerica.com Whether decorating for Christmas or Hanukkah or some other occasion, use only noncombustible or flame-resistant materials and keep candles away from decorations, wrapping paper and other material. If you use candles during a party, place them where they cannot be knocked over. In many homes, the Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the decorations and either artificial or live trees can be good choices as long as you take proper safety precautions. When buying an artificial tree, be sure it is fire resistant. In choosing a live tree, be sure it is freshly cut. It will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard. It should be situated away from any heat sources, fireplace, radiator or heater. Keep a live tree watered. When decorating with lights, carefully inspect light strings and discard any frayed cords, cracked lamp sockets or loose connections. When replacing bulbs, be sure to use the correct size, voltage and wattage. Follow directions on the light strings and use only the recommended number. Use only properly certified electrical equipment, light strings, extension cords, spotlights, timers and decorations. When decorating outside, use only decorations certified for outdoor use. When hanging outdoor lights, keep electrical connections off the ground and away from metal rain gutters and use insulated tape or plastic clips to hold them in place. Don’t hook extension cords together. Use an extension cord long enough and heavy enough for the job. Always turn out holiday lights when leaving the house unattended or when going to bed. A roaring fire in the fireplace may seem appropriate for the holidays, but don’t throw wrapping paper in the fire. It can ignite suddenly and burn intensely, causing a flash fire and burning paper scraps can rise up the chimney and land on the roof or in the dry leaves. Before starting a fire in the fireplace, have it safety inspected and be sure the chimney has a safety cap. And whether the logs in the fireplace are real wood or gas logs, be sure the glass or fire screen is in proper repair. If repairs are needed, allow only a qualified service person to work on the fireplace. When lighting a fire in the fireplace, whether real logs or gas, be sure there are no combustibles near the front of the fireplace, no chairs, tables or decorations that could be ignited by the heat. The same applies to any heater or heat source. The three-foot rule always applies. Never place anything that will burn within three feet of a heat source, and more than three feet is better. Never store combustible materials such as gasoline, propane, paint, rags and cleaning products near a gas furnace or gas water heater. Gasoline or propane containers should be stored outside the home. Be sure to have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm on every level of the home, especially near sleeping quarters. Keeping in mind that your home is probably your biggest investment, always put safety first and protect your investment so that you may enjoy it for years to come. |
