General holiday safety rules

Whether decorating for a religious holiday or a federal holiday, every time you put out decorations, you change the house. You will need to be particularly careful of where decorations are placed if you have young children as they will want to touch, taste, smell and "try out" everything that is new.

• In homes with small children avoid decorations that are:
  • sharp or breakable
  • have small parts that can be removed and inhaled or swallowed
  • like candy or food so that a child may think they are edible.
• Make sure candles are placed out of reach of small children. Matches and lighters should be put away to avoid temptation.
• Be sure all candles are blown out before going to bed.
• Place any decoration that would not be safe if used as a toy out of reach of the child.
• Tell children that decorations are to make the house "pretty" and are not to be played with.
• Develop an emergency plan to use if a fire breaks out anywhere around the home. Be sure that every member of the family knows what to do. Practice the plan.
• Avoid wearing loose, flowing clothes - particularly long, open sleeves - near open flames - especially near a stove, candle-lit table or a fireplace.
• Plan for safety. Look for and eliminate any potential danger spots near candles, fireplaces, trees and electrical connections.
• Never leave a young child unattended in a room with a fireplace.
• Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries.
• Check fire extinguishers to make sure they are in working condition.