Keep your holidays safe with these... Holiday Safety Tips

During this time of year we are all busy shopping and preparing for the holiday season. Some of us are decorating our homes and businesses with the wish to enjoy the holidays and it is important for us to do it safely. None of us wishes to have a tragedy during this time of celebration and we would like to give you some safety tips for the holidays.

Chief Merrick Tassin

How to prevent Christmas Tree Fires

• Select a fresh tree with needles that are green that should not break when bent and are hard to pull back from the branches. Do not select a tree that the needles fall off when you bounce the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

• Keep your tree away from a heat source such as a fireplace or heater vent. Heat and low indoor humidity will dry out the tree making it more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.

• As soon as your tree becomes dry, discard it quickly and properly. The best ways to dispose of your tree is by removing any decorations from the tree and place it on the curb where it will be picked up and sent to help restore our Louisiana Wetlands. Do not place artificial or decorated trees on the curb- those are still marked for the dump.

Safety with Holiday Lights

• Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory. Examine your holiday lights each year for frayed wires, chew marks, melted, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or any other damage before putting them up.

• Do not link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is ok to do so. Frequently check the wires to make sure they are not warm to the touch. If the wires are warm to touch, reduce the number of strands or load on the outlet.

• Do not leave holiday lights on unattended and do not leave Christmas lights or other decorations plugged in when there's no one home
Only use "outdoor" or "indoor/outdoor" Christmas lights on the exterior of a home.

• Limit the use of electrical cords and avoid using electrical socket adapters that create room for additional plugs.

Candle Safety

• Try to avoid using lit candles but if you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

• Never put lit candles on a tree and do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Holiday Decorations

• All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.

• Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace It can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire.

• If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

• Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

During the holidays don’t forget to have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them and keep them clean. Remember to practice your home escape plan and if you travel to an unfamiliar place prepare and practice an escape plan in case of an emergency.

Also, if you are planning on frying a turkey for the holidays, please review this important Turkey Frying Safety Message