Christmas is just around the corner! With all the hustle and bustle surrounding this magnificent and majestic holiday, this is also the time of year most folks start to buckle down with holiday trim, decor and essentials. Christmas decorations, from stunning and luminous colors lighting up picturesque neighborhoods to warm feelings spending the holidays with loved ones, there is not much to dislike about Christmas ornaments and embellishments. As with most decorations, there are some drawbacks. Using more electricity is a natural part of the holiday season. However, danger looms due to strain put on powering these decorations among other hazards most are not aware of.
The Christmas tree is the focal point of any holiday decor. It is decked out with all of the trimmings, including Christmas ornaments, tree skirts, tree collars and tree toppers. Christmas ornaments are the personality of the Christmas tree. One must be mindful Christmas trees are one of the leading fire hazards during the holiday season. It is important to note when buying a Christmas tree that one checks to see if the tree is fresh and not dried out. A simple way to check such is by seeing if the tree has needles that resist being pulled and/or shaken off, the branches cannot be easily broken, and having a sticky base to the tree. Last but not least, ALWAYS bear in mind to water your tree every day to prevent it from drying out and becoming even more of a fire hazard!
When buying lights to decorate the inside or outside of your home it is important to purchase lights that have passed strict safety tests, for example Underwriters Lab. These tests will not only provide you comfort that you are using safe decorating lights but they will also label the lights as being safe for indoor, outdoor, or both. ALWAYS read the labels for lights or other wired decorations in order to understand and follow the acceptable wattage levels. It is also important to make sure your decoration wires are not tangled with other wires, extension cords, and power strips. This could cause the overloading of circuits. Finally, because most people use the same decorating lights year after year, it is crucial to make sure the lights do not have any loose connections or bare wires.
Another popular decoration during the holidays come in the shape of candles, tapers, spills and torches. It is imperative to keep these objects away from curtains, paper, walls, etc. to prevent an impending fire. At all times make sure all candles have been blown out before leaving your home, even for a few minutes, and finally try to avoid wax buildup. A safe and effective alternative to candles are battery powered LED candles.
In closing, Christmas morning in many homes means unwrapping gifts in front of a cozy fireplace. And every year, local fire departments across the country warn people not to toss all that wrapping paper into the flames, for very good reason: It might start a serious chimney fire. Burning pieces of paper could also float up the chimney and start a fire. Experts say the safest thing to do is throw out that holiday paper, or recycle it.
Safe and Happy Holidays to All!!!!
