Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

Use good sense when using ladders

Whenever you climb a ladder, you’re putting yourself at risk of a fall. Even a short fall of a few feet can lead to broken bones or worse, so it’s important to be careful every time you use a ladder. Make sure that you’re wearing sturdy, non-skid footwear, and don’t use the ladder outdoors in windy, stormy or snowy weather. If the ladder is old and rickety, don’t use it. Set it up on flat ground, and don’t stand on the top step or rung. If you need to stand on the top rung, then you’re not using a large enough ladder; go back in and get a taller one. You can read more ladder safety tips at the American Ladder Institute website. It’s also a good idea to follow safety precautions if you need to climb on the roof: Only go up if the roof is dry and the wind is calm, and keep your hands free while climbing up and down.

Prevent Christmas light fires

Every year, four people are killed by Christmas light fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. You can avoid a house fire caused by holiday lights by following a few easy tips: Don’t overload circuits or connect more than the recommended number of light strings together. (You can see how many strings can be safely connected by reading the instructions that come with your lights.) Also, unplug any holiday lights before you go to bed or leave the house. Don’t put your tree or any holiday lights close to a heat source, like a radiator or wood-burning stove. Keep your live tree well-watered to prevent it drying out to the point that it might catch on fire. Never use real candles on your tree, as these prevent a big hazard.

Use caution with fireplaces

A fireplace is lovely during the holidays, but it can also be a safety hazard. Keep young children away from the fireplace. If you have kids visiting you who are not familiar with the fireplace, make sure that someone is keeping an eye on them and not letting them approach the flames. Always use a fireplace screen when the fire is burning, and keep the area clear of evergreen branches, paper and other combustible materials. Pull your hair back and secure loose or flowing clothing before feeding the fire, and make sure that an adult is doing this job.