Decorating is one of the best ways to get in the holiday mood, but emergency rooms see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season.
When decorating follow these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
– Keep potentially poisonous plants — mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis — away from children and pets
– If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”
– If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water it and remove it from your home when it is dry
– Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways
– Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them
– Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights
– Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections
– Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket
– Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow
– Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house