A fun way to get into the holiday spirit is by decorating your home.  People’s Trust Insurance love’s the idea of decorating!  We decorate in our offices – but we keep safety in mind!  And we want you too also!  Holiday decorations can be festive but when not used properly can cause fires, injuries and death.   Following these tips can help make your holiday a safe one.

• Never use lighted candles near trees, curtains/drapes, or any potentially flammable item.
• Wear gloves while decorating with “angel hair” aka spun glass.  It can irritate your eyes and skin.  A better substitute is non-flammable cotton.
• When utilizing artificial snow follow the instructions carefully.  These sprays can irritate your lungs when inhaled.
• Keep holiday plants out of children’s reach.  They can cause severe stomach problems.
• When displaying a tree, cut off about 2 inches off the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand.  Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly.
• Keep your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources.  Make sure your tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.
• Avoid breakable tree ornaments.
• If you utilize an artificial tree, choose one that is fire resistant. 
• Only use indoor lights indoor and outdoor lights outdoors.  Check for broken lights or frayed wires.  Replace these lights.  This is a huge fire hazard.
• Use no more than 3 light sets on any one extension cord. 
• Extension cords should be placed against the wall to avoid them becoming a tripping hazard. Do not run extension cords under runs, or around furniture.
• Turn off all lights on decorations before you go to bed or leave the house.
• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. Wrappings can ignite suddenly and burn intensely, resulting in a flash fire.
• Place a screen around your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby flammable materials.
• When making paper decorations, look for materials labeled non-combustible or flame-resistant.
• Remove all wrapping papers from tree and fireplace areas immediately after presents are opened.

This Blog is sponsored by:
People’s Trust Insurance Company