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With the Holiday season upon us, you'll be making lasting memories in your home. Make sure the memories you make are all happy ones.

Lights

• Use lights labeled for outdoor use ONLY.
• Examine all lights (new or last years) carefully before reusing for broken bulbs, cracked sockets, frayed cords, loose connections and to ensure the cord’s insulation is undamaged. Throw out damaged sets.
• Use extra caution whenever you use a ladder outside, especially in winter. Wear proper shoes, use safety equipment and never work alone.
• Never staple or nail through outdoor light wiring (use hooks or insulated staples).
• Do plug outdoor decorations into receptacles with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).
• Make sure any extension cords are rated for your intended use.
• Be careful not to damage your home’s siding, roofing, facia or caulking when hanging outdoor decorations; and never pierce through your home’s protective moisture barriers which may lie directly behind the exterior cladding.
• Do not use electric lights on a metallic tree.
• Keep any lights and electrical decorations out of reach from pets and children.
• Turn off all holiday lights before leaving your home or going to bed.
  

Christmas Trees

• Check for freshness before you buy a tree from a Christmas Tree lot by pulling on the needles (they should not come away easily or break when bent) and shaking or tapping the tree (a fresh tree will not shed many needles). Place in a bucket of water immediately upon getting the tree home, and then cut a few inches off the base before setting it up.
• Choose a large basin tree stand to ensure the tree will be stable and allow for plenty of water, and make sure it is kept full at all times (check often).
• Make sure artificial trees are labeled fire resistant.
• Place any tree (real or artificial) carefully to be far from fireplaces, radiators and heaters, as well as out of doorways and normal traffic areas.
• Never use real candles on any tree.
• Choose tree trimmings carefully. Avoid small decorations or those that resemble candy that children might swallow. Check labeling on tinsel and artificial icicles to make sure they are non-leaded metals or plastic. If you have breakable trimmings, make sure to be extra careful and place them out of reach of children and pets.

Candles

• Only light candles when an adult is present in the same room!
• Use only non-flammable candle holders and make sure they are large enough to catch dripping wax.
• Do not place candles on shelving that will place the flame too near another shelf or the ceiling.
• Keep decorations clear of both the flame and hot wax drippings.
• Keep children and pets away from any burning flame.
• New Flameless Candles are a great alternative and look like the real thing.

Stoves

• Remember that a leading cause of home fires is unattended cooking. Always keep an eye on the range when cooking (bring the party into the kitchen if necessary).
• If you simmer spices to scent your home over the stove, check often to ensure the pot does not get too low or dry out.
• Cooking with children for the holiday is fun and makes great memories, always make sure children are given age-appropriate tasks, and are supervised around hot items.

Fireplaces

• Never burn wrapping paper or other items not intended for fireplace use, they may result in a flash fire.
• If you use ”fire sales” or other products to create colored flames, always use caution. Keep away from children and pets as these contain heavy metals and should not be ingested.
• Remove all greenery, boughs, paper or other directions from the fireplace area, and overhanging a mantle before lighting any wood fire. Check to see that the flue is open. And, make sure your chimney has been inspected recently.

Plan your Fire Escape

• The holiday season is a great time to create or refresh your fire escape plan. Make sure every family member knows at least two exits from every room, and the location of your safe meeting place away from your home.

Find more tips at these links:

http://safetyathome.com/holiday-safety/?fbid=LTsB7gRuuHz
http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/index.asp
http://www.toddlerstoday.com/articles/holiday-winter/seasonal-safety-2609/