Tips for a Safe Holiday

We’re all scurrying around decorating, backing and whatever it takes to get ready for the holidays and hopefully some fun gatherings with friends and family. This is a time when it’s easy to overlook the obvious, to focus less on where you put things as it’s only for a few days. That’s why accidents are more likely to occur … because we’re not following our normal routines. Here is a quick checklist of safety tips to insure you have an  enjoyable, and safe, holiday.

Tips For Staying Safe this Holiday

Hint: Print this page and tape it near your kitchen, and each time you have company coming, take a quick scan to make sure your home is safe for all. Happy Holidays from all of us at My Handyman.

Use Candles Carefully

Candles

• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Be thoughtful about where you position candles. Use heat resistant surfaces to be safe and keep candles away from combustible items like curtains, as well as drafts.

Fireplaces

• Have the fireplace flue cleaned professionally and make sure to learn the correct way to open and close the flue.
• Always use a fireplace screen and only burn firewood. It might be tempting to toss wreaths or wrapping paper into the fire but it’s not safe.
  

Christmas Trees

• Find a tree that is fresh and test the needles to make sure they don’t break easily.
• Remember to keep the tree fresh by cutting off the bottom and placing the tree in water, so use a tree stand that is sturdy and water tight.
  
• If you’re buying an artificial tree, get one that is labeled fire resistant.
• When there are children or pets, it is safest to anchor the tree to the walls so they can’t knock it down … something I started doing when my younger son was about 2 years old.
  
• Use indoor lights and no more than 3 strings of standard lights, on a single extension cord.
  • Note: LED lights use less power so you can string more lights together.

Cooking

• Don’t take shortcuts when cooking raw meat. For questions, call USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.
• With all the extra cooking and baking, it’s easy to overload outlets with too many small appliances, so unplug those not being used. Be careful what you wear when cooking as loose clothing can be a fire hazard.

Entertaining

• Be prepared to help your guests get home safely by offering non-alcoholic choices. Use a designated driver program as needed.
• If you’re having a large group of guests, it’s wise to assign someone to watch the small children. Someone should also remember to clean up so the children don’t get into left over food or alcohol.