KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - Decorate Safely for the Holidays

Decorate Safely for the Holidays

By Sarah Kallail (WICHITA, Kan.)

It's the time of year for Christmas trees, candles, and lights. It's also a good time to make sure your home is safe.

Safe Kids for Kansas reminds parents and caregivers to take a few precautions when decorating for the holiday season.

Holiday decorations, especially candles and electrical lighting can be fire hazards. If you hang lights this year, check for any worn, frayed, broken cords, or loose bulbs and replace them.

It's also important to never leave candles unattended. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, candles started 15,000 home fires in the United States in 2005, and the top four days for candle fires are around Christmas and New Year's. 

Instead, opt for a battery-operated flameless candle. It will greatly reduce the risk of fire.

If you decorate a tree, Safe Kids Kansas recommends these precautions:

• Never leave a lit Christmas tree or other decorative lighting display unattended. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections and broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords or outlets and do not run an electrical cord under a rug.
• Natural Christmas trees always involve some risk of fire. To minimize the risk, get a fresh tree and keep it watered at all times. Do not put the tree within three feet of a fireplace, space heater, radiator or heat vent. LED lights burn cooler than incandescent lights and pose a lower risk of fire.
• Decorate with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that have small parts or metal hooks, or look like food or candy, on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Trim protruding branches at or below a child's eye level, and keep lights out of reach.
• Do not burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in a home fireplace.

Safe Kids Kansas also offers these tips to prevent accidental poisoning:

• Keep alcohol (including baking extracts) out of reach and do not leave alcoholic drinks unattended. Don't forget to store all medications, including those for children, out of reach.
• Color additives used in fireplace fires are a toxic product and should be stored out of reach. Artificial snow sprays are also harmful if inhaled.
• Holly berries, mistletoe berries, poinsettias, amaryllis, boxwood, Christmas rose, Crown of Thorns, English ivy and Jerusalem cherry are all potentially harmful if eaten. If a child eats any part of a non-food plant, call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.

For more information about home safety, visit the fire prevention and safety tips page by clicking the link above.