11/12/2013
I stumbled across this article and would love to share with all my fans: Take quality time reading.
Safety During Christmas
We are all caught up in the Christmas spirit but it is important to ponder over the not so small matter of safety during Christmas. There are a lot of safety measures that need to be undertaken to ensure that everyone around, has a truly Merry Christmas.
Christmas is a season that is characterized by the coming together of relatives from all over the country. But Yuletide also means that there will be a lot of children in a house that contains Christmas Trees and other Christmas ornaments. Since the parents of the children will be busy meeting visitors, there is a possibility that the children may end up doing something that is unsafe. Prevention is better than cure and if certain basic preventive measures are undertaken, things will not go out of hand.
One of the most common pitfalls is fire. Hundreds of trees catch fire every year. Preventing Christmas tree fire begins at the time of purchase of the tree from the vendor. Try to select a fresh tree by looking for one that is green. The needles of pines and spruces should bend and not break and should be hard to pull off the branches. On fir species, a needle pulled from a fresh tree will snap when bent, much like a fresh carrot. Also, look for a trunk sticky with sap. When you buy your tree, have the vendor make a fresh cut an inch from the bottom; this will help the tree drink. If the tree is purchased early then store it outdoors, away from the sun and keep the bottom in a bucket of water. Position the tree near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits. Ensure that the tree is kept away from floor heaters, fire places, or other heat sources. If your tree seems wobbly, center it in the stand more securely and redo the bolts or screws. If it is an artificial tree candles should not be used. If the tree is metallic use colored spotted lights instead of electric lights. Once Christmas is over or when the tree starts to drop needles, dispose of it. Don't leave it in your house or put it in your garage.
A constant eye needs to be kept on the children when they are around the tree; many small decorations and ornaments are sharp, breakable and can be swallowed. The entire household is lit up but the insulation of the electric wires needs to be in place. When connecting the light strands, wrap a plastic bag around connections and tie ends with Teflon tape. Prevent overloading the electrical outlets by not using more than three strings of lights on one circuit. Also, don't run extension cords under carpets, across doorways, or near heaters. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets. There are different lights for the outdoors and indoors, it is imperative that the right light is used in the right place. The lights should have the required quality assurance symbols. Use miniature lights, which have cool-burning bulbs. Usage of electric lights on a metal tree must be strictly prohibited on a metal tree. When lights are to be discarded it should be done with care and ensure that there are no sharp pieces lying on the floor.
All candles must be extinguished before going to bed. Hot wax from the candles must not be left lying around as it could burn the children. A smoke detector is a very important component of every Christmas celebration. In order to be doubly sure of safety, there should be a fire extinguisher in the house. The children of the house cannot be kept away from the tree so it is better that they be involved in the safety of the house. The children can be made "Tree Caretakers" this would give them a sense of responsibility and power. This is a fun and easy way for kids to be responsible for ensuring the safety of their tree and the home.
The only way to ensure a great Christmas is to ensure that all the members of the family are having a fabulous time in an extremely safe and sound environment.
