TREES
Many artificial trees are fire resistant. If you buy one,
look for a statement specifying this protection.
A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard
than a dry tree. To check for freshness, remember:
- A fresh tree is green.
- Fresh needles are hard to pull from branches.
- When bent between your fingers, fresh needles do not
break.
- The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin.
- When the trunk of a tree is bounced on the ground, a
shower of falling needles shows that tree is too dry.
Place tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat
sources. Heated rooms dry trees out rapidly, creating fire
hazards.
Cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for
better water absorption. Trim away branches as necessary to set
tree trunk in the base of a sturdy, water-holding stand with
wide spread feet. Keep the stand filled with water while the
tree is indoors.
Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block
doorways. Use thin guy-wires to secure a large tree to walls or
ceiling. These wires are almost invisible.
"SNOW"
Artificial snow sprays can irritate lungs if inhaled. To
avoid injury, read container labels; follow directions
carefully.
LIGHTS
Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested
for safety. Identify these by the label from an independent
testing laboratory.
Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked
sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard
damaged sets or repair them before using.
Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house, walls or other
firm support to protect from wind damage.
Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single
extension cord.
Turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when you go
to bed or leave the house. Lights could short and start a fire.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.
The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights,
and any person touching a branch could be electrocuted! To avoid
this danger, use colored spotlights above or beside a tree,
never fastened onto it!
Keep "bubbling" lights away from children. These
lights with their bright colors and bubbling movement can tempt
curious children to break candle-shaped glass, which can cut,
and attempt to drink liquid, which contains a hazardous
chemical.
CANDLES
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other
evergreens.
Always use non-flammable holders.
Keep candles away from other decorations and wrapping paper.
Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over.
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TRIMMINGS
Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials.
Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass "angel
hair" to avoid irritation to eyes and skin.
Choose tinsel or artificial icicles or plastic or non-leaded
metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
In homes with small children, take special care to:
- Avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable.
- Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the
reach of children. Pieces could be swallowed or inhaled.
- Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food. A child
could eat them!
FIRES
Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs,
papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see
that flue is open.
Keep a screen before the fireplace all the time a fire is
burning.
Use care with "fire salts" which produce colored
flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals
which can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation or vomiting
if eaten. Keep away from children.
PAPER
When making paper decorations, look for materials labeled
non-combustible or flame-resistant.
Never place trimming near open flames or electrical connections.
Remove all wrapping papers from tree and fireplace areas
immediately after presents are opened.
Do not burn papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as
wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
General Rules for Holiday Safety
- Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of the reach of
children.
- Avoid smoking near flammable decorations.
- Make an emergency plan to use if a fire breaks out
anywhere in the home. See that each family member knows what
to do. PRACTICE THE PLAN!
- Avoid wearing loose flowing clothes - particularly long,
open sleeves - near open flames - such as those of a
fireplace, stove, or candlelit table.
- Never burn candles near evergreens. Burning evergreens in
the fireplace can also be hazardous. When dry, greens burn
like tinder. Flames can flare out of control, and send
sparks flying into a room, or up the chimney to ignite
creosote deposits.
- Plan for safety. Remember, there is no substitute for
common sense. Look for and eliminate potential danger spots
near candles, fireplaces, trees, and/or electrical
connections.
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