Tips for keeping loved ones—including pets—safe as you deck the halls and celebrate the season.

There are so many wonderful things about the holidays. The gatherings and parties. The food. The gifts. The decorations. The decorations are most delightful! Here’s how to keep your loved ones and pets safe as you deck the halls this holiday season.

Natural trees: start with a fresh one

Nothing compares to the beauty of a natural tree. To get the most enjoyment out of a fresh Christmas tree, choose one with flexible needles that are hard to pull off the branch. A dry tree poses a fire hazard, so rule out any with needles that are brittle or easily knocked off the branch.

When you get the tree home, cut off the bottom two inches off the trunk before placing it in a tree stand with a water basin. Replenish the water every day.

Do not use additives in the tree water if you have pets or children who might swallow the water.

Protect your pets

Holiday décor can be dangerous to curious cats and dogs. Keep small items that could be ingested—like ornaments, ribbons or tinsel, out of paw’s reach. The same goes for plant materials like mistletoe and holly. Poinsettia plants can also make pets sick.

Keep people food away from pets. Chocolate is toxic for cats and dogs. The sweetener xylitol may lead to liver failure and death for dogs. Bones pose a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockage.

If your pet doesn’t like commotion or loud noises, give them space of their own while your family and friends enjoy festivities. A crate or quiet room can be just the retreat a furry friend needs.

Take care with candles

Never leave candles burning unattended and keep them away from flammable items. Also, position candles where they can’t be knocked over by people or pets. Make sure to have a fire extinguisher on hand.

A safer alternative to lit candles are battery-powered ones that provide all the glow without the risk of fire.

Enjoy fireplaces safely

Like candles, fireplaces should never burn unattended and there should be a fire extinguisher nearby.

Have the chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year.

Make sure the damper is open before starting a fire. Do not close the damper until all embers are no longer burning.

Use well-aged wood that’s dry. Wet or green wood produces more smoke and soot than heat and light. Plus, the soot from wet wood causes more build up in the chimney.

Be mindful when putting up lights

Lights provide many years of use but eventually they deteriorate. Don’t use any lights with cracked wires or broken sockets. Toss damaged light strings and invest in safer ones. Plus, newer LED lights use less energy than the old-style bulbs, so you’ll save money on electricity.

Be aware of how many light strings you plug in end-to-end. A common guideline for incandescent lights is to connect no more than three strings. Check the package for LED to see how many can be safely strung together; LED lights draw less power and allow for connecting more strings.

Use the proper extension cord

For many holiday revelers, the more Christmas decorations, the merrier. Keeping all those lights, inflatables and waving Santas aglow often means using extension cords. Know this, not all extension cords are the same. To stay safe:

• Inspect cords. Discard any with damage such as fraying or loose wires.
• Only use exterior extension cords outside.
• Make sure exterior cords are only plugged into outlets with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
• Place cords so they don’t pose a tripping hazard.
• Don’t run cords under rugs or mats where they could overheat.
• Choose extension cords that have the electrical capacity to power the item it’s connected to.

Learn more about choosing and using extension cords safely.

If circuits trip due to too many things plugged in, they’re doing their job. Use multiple outlets rather than overloading one.

Make sure detectors are working

Have at least one smoke detector and one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. Check the batteries and replace if they are more than one year old.

Have a happy and safe holiday season!

 

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