At Dr.STITCH, members of our team celebrate different holidays and we all have our own unique traditions for the winter holiday season. While we may not agree on white lights vs. colorful lights or which seasonal cookie is best, we all share the same priority – keeping you and your family safe. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 15,000 people visit an emergency room for holiday decoration related accidents each year due to falls, fires, or other accidents.1 Here are our top tips to stay safe while enjoying holiday decor:
Set Yourself Up For Safety Success
Schedule a little prep time ahead of when you plan to start decorating. Pull holiday items out of storage early so you can inspect all cords and dispose of any that have frayed. Consider updating old incandescent bulbs to more efficient LED lights. This is also a great time to test smoke alarms and replace any batteries if needed.
Trim Your Tree Safely
If you opt for an artificial Christmas tree, choose one that is labeled “fire resistant.” If you love that real tree smell, buy one as fresh as possible and water it daily because a dry tree is more prone to catch fire.
If you have little ones in the house, or if they will be visiting for the holidays, don’t hang any ornaments that are glass, have sharp edges, or are small enough to be swallowed on your tree (even out of reach, since ornaments can fall easily.) Also skip ornaments that look like food or candy if you have toddlers around – they may try to eat them!
Fireplace Fun and Safety
Is there anything as cozy as a fireplace during the winter holidays? In addition to regular chimney maintenance and fireplace safety precautions, here are a few things to look out for around the holidays:
- Do not put wrapping paper in the fireplace! The inks and materials in some gift wrap can start a chimney fire or release airborne particulates.
- Skip metal salt colorant additives or “fire salts” that are intended to turn your fire different colors, as they can be toxic.
- Keep extension cords and decorations three feet from the fireplace.
Careful With Candles
If you enjoy using candles to create a cozy, holiday ambiance but want to create a safer space for kiddos, consider opting for battery-operated LED tea lights instead. Adding a diffuser into the mix will allow you to hang onto your favorite seasonal scents without the need for fire.
If you light candles for a menorah or a kinara, be sure that they are away from wreaths, trees, curtains, or other fabrics. They should also be out of reach of small children and never left burning unattended.
Stay Safe With Outdoor Decor
If you take the time and effort to decorate the outside of your house, thank you for spreading holiday cheer for everyone to see! Here are a few tips for safe outdoor decorating:
- When using a ladder, choose a sturdy one made of non-metal material to reduce the chance of electrical shock and be sure to follow basic ladder safety standards.
- Make sure your lights are UL approved with a red holographic label that signifies they meet safety requirements for indoor and outdoor usage.
- Keep decorations away from power lines.
- Take care not to cover your address so visitors can find you easily, as well as emergency personnel.
Happy Holidays From Dr.STITCH
We wish you and your loved ones a safe, happy, and peaceful holiday season. Dr.STITCH is an immediate, on-call service of Long Island Plastic Surgical Group. In the event of an accident, our experienced surgeons provide treatment for lacerations, burns, complex wounds, facial trauma, and hand injuries 24/7/365. Add DR.STITCH to your phone contacts and we will be there if you need us!
1 United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Available: https://www.cpsc.gov/content/%E2%80%9Cdeck-the-halls%E2%80%9D-safely-cpsc-estimates-more-than-15000-holiday-decorating-injuries-during