Health Topics A-Z

Health Tip:

Fire-Proof Your Holidays

‘Tis the season for giving, being with family, and... starting accidental fires! Follow these tips to ensure a safe holiday season.

Christmas Trees:
- Keep your tree away from the fireplace and radiator.
- Don’t let your tree get dry; it’s more likely to catch fire. Keep your tree hydrated by filling the stand with water.
- Make sure your artificial tree is fire resistant.

Decorative Lights:
- Check labels to be sure outdoor lights have been certified for outdoor use.
- Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
- Check all sets of lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets.
- Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA.

Candles:
- Keep all burning candles within sight.
- Keep lighted candles away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.
- Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room or leave the house.