Trees:
- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire
Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch
fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should
extinguish quickly.
- When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is
green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your
fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky
with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many
needles.
- When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and
radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to
keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of
traffic and do not block doorways.
Lights:
- Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety
by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with
safety standards.
- Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets,
frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.
- Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single
extension cord.
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become
charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a
branch could be shocked.
- Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been
certified for outdoor use.
- Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm
supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated
staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of
lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
- Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights
could short out and start a fire.
- For added electric shock protection, plug outdoor electric lights and
decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters
(GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical
supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household
circuits by a qualified electrician.
Decorations:
- Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.
Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.
Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
- Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always
use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be
knocked down.
- In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations
that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts
out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling
small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may
tempt a child to eat them.
- Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with
spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully
to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
Fireplaces:
- Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames
when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause
intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them
away from children.
- Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result
as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
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