1. Purchasing a Live Tree
If you plan to purchase a live Christmas tree this year, be sure to check for freshness. A fresh tree is less of a fire hazard than one that is dried out. Fresh trees are green and the needles are hard to pull from the branches. Also, the trunk of a fresh tree will be sticky with resin and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
2. Christmas Tree Placement
Don't position your Christmas tree next to a fireplace, heating ducts or radiators, as this becomes a fire hazard. Even those artificial trees with "fire resistant" labels can still go up in flames. If you have a live tree, be sure to keep the stand filled with water, as they dry out in heated rooms. You also want to make sure not the place them in high traffic areas, or where they block doorways.
3. Decorating the Tree
If you have children or pets at home, be careful of your ornament placement. Be sure to place unbreakable and non-toxic ornaments on the lowest areas of the tree. You should also consider replacing metal hooks with ribbon or string to prevent choking and injury. Make sure to evenly space out the decorations so that no one side has too much weight. Too much weight in one spot could cause the tree to come toppling over.
4. Fireplace Use
Don't smoke out your guests with a dirty chimney. Be sure to have your fireplace and wood stove inspected annually and hire a chimney sweep to clean it if needed. Do not through wrapping paper into a fire, as the wrappings can ignite suddenly and burn intensely. You should also be careful when using "fire salts" that change the color of the flame; they are very poisonous if ingested.
5. Lighting Candles
Placement is very important with candles and their open flame. Be sure to keep them away from curtains, bedding, paper, walls or any other areas with the potential to combust. Candle flames can heat up to 1000 degrees. Be sure to blow candles out if you're leaving a room or going to bed. Consider using battery-powered LED candles as a safer alternative when decorating.
6. Lawn Decorations
If you have any of those blow up lawn decorations, be sure they are properly secured. They can easily become a dangerous projectile if you're not careful. You should always turn the fan blowers off when it's windy, when you're not going to be home for long periods of time and while you're sleeping. Be sure to keep them away from any outdoor lighting you have as they can also be a fire hazard.
7. Hanging Christmas Lights
When using a ladder to hang Christmas lights on the exterior of your home, extend the ladder a minimum of three feet over the roofline or working area. Make sure the ladder is on level, firm ground, will leg levelers added if you're on an incline. You should also consider the weight limit of the ladder to make sure it will hold both you and the objects you are carrying. Be sure to test each set of lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out any damaged sets.
8. Extension Cord Use
When using an extension cord, make sure to select a cord that is the length you need rather than stringing several together. Extension cords are for temporary use only and should not be placed in high traffic areas or under carpets, rugs or furniture. You'll also want to make sure that the cords are properly rated for their intended use, whether it be indoor or outdoor, and they meet the power needs of item being plugged into it.
Happy Holidays from Mission Bay at Lake of the Ozarks! Mission Bay offers Lake living at its finest with gorgeous lake view and lakefront homes at the Lake of the Ozarks. The development boasts an exquisite clubhouse with heated indoor pool and outdoor pool and hot tub for entertaining family and friends. Nearby is the new Woods Supermarket, lake front restaurants and just 6 minutes from Camdenton via the improved Highway 5.
No comments:
Post a Comment