A Short List of Holiday Safety Tips

WILTON, CT — The holidays are a time of happiness and giving, but they can also present safety hazards.

“Candle-related fires cause an average of 150 deaths and $385 million in property damage each holiday season," said Wilton State Farm Agent Karen O’Brien."

Here are valuable safety and savings tipes from State Farm:

• Water your Christmas tree. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, tree-related fires cause an average of 17 deaths and $13 million of property damage each year. In 7 to 10 seconds, a dry tree can become engulfed with flames as high as 30 feet. Dry branches can act as tinder, causing sparks to fly out into your living space or up the chimney. To help keep your tree fresh, add one quart of water per day for each inch of the trunk's diameter.
• Take steps to make sure your holiday decorations are safe. Inspect all lights, decorations and extension cords for damage before using. It’s also important to make sure the decorations you’re using outdoors are marked for outdoor use. Additionally, turning off all indoor and outdoor electrical decorations before leaving home or going to sleep can prevent the chance of a fire.
• Extinguish candles before leaving the house or going to bed. One-half of candle-related fire deaths occur between midnight and 6 a.m. from candles that were forgotten and continued to burn. Always place candles in stable holders and keep them in safe areas where they will not be accidentally toppled over.
• Make sure your home is childproof. Keep decorations with small parts out of kids' reach. Avoid decorating your tree with items that are food-inspired, such as popcorn strands. A child may pull them down and attempt to eat them. And be sure your child doesn't have access to dangerous plants. Mistletoe, holly berries and Jerusalem cherries can be poisonous if consumed in large amounts.
• Don't let your garbage advertise your new gadgets. Make sure to recycle the boxes of any expensive items you received over the holidays. Setting out a box with the picture of a giant TV on it is a prime invitation for burglars.

Photo provided by State Farm.