Holiday Safety

Here are some tips for enjoying your holidays and keeping your family and home safe:

• Lights: Use lights that have been tested in a lab by the UL or ETL/ITSNA. Examine lights and extension cords before using. Discard frayed or worn cords. Place lights on nonflammable surface and plug in for 15 minutes to make sure lights don’t melt or smoke. Keep away from curtains and other flammable materials. Don’t run cords under rugs. Never connect more than three light sets to an extension cord. Unplug all lights before you leave home or go to bed.
• Trees: Make sure a live tree is fresh and not shedding needles. Keep tree moist by cutting off the bottom two inches of trunk and keep moist with water in the tree base. Keep all trees away from heat sources and candles. Discard live trees as soon as possible and do not leave in yard.
• Candles: Always keep burning candles within sight. Extinguish before leaving a room or going to bed. Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use – heat resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain drips. Keep candles on a stable, heat resistant surface and away from drafts, flammable materials, children, and pets. Trim wick to ¼ inch each time before burning.