30

Nov
2015

Safety Tips For Decorating During The Holidays

November 30th, 2015 | by Vancouver Fire | in Safety Plans and Training |    0   

The holidays are a time for lights and dazzle, but those beautiful decorations can pose a big safety risk If the proper precautions are not taken. Keep yourself, and your family safe during the holidays by following these safety tips for decorating.

You should first ensure that all detectors in your home are working. Smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors are all important in keeping your family safe. In the event that an emergency does happen, you need these detectors to inform you.

If you are setting up lights, be sure to use the appropriate equipment. Use outdoor lights and cords outside, and try to make sure you have proper lengths instead of connecting various cords together. Use indoor lights indoors only, and keep LED and incandescent lights separate.

Keep your cords and lights tangle free, and test them before you plug them in. Any broken or malfunctioning lights should be replaced or discarded.

If you are using candles, use them carefully and under supervision. Never place them inside of a tree, and be sure to extinguish them before leaving your home. There are many candle-like LED lights on the market that can give you the candlelit effect without the safety risk.

Abide by fire safety if you are lighting a warm fire in your fireplace, or heading outside for a bonfire. Know what to do if a fire gets out of control, and ensure you have extinguishers immediately available. Space heaters are also dangerous if not used correctly, so if you need one, make sure it is working well and placed far away from any obstacles on all sides.

Make sure your holiday cooking is also fire-safe. Do not leave anything unattended, watch your temperatures, and know what to do if a fire breaks out.