Suffolk County American Red Cross provides holiday safety tips

Keep your family safe through this year’s holiday season by setting up decorations with care and taking some simple steps to prevent fires or accidents. “500 deadly home fires happen each December as a result of Christmas trees catching fire. We can all take some easy steps to keep this from happening,” said Diane Amorosa, director of the Suffolk County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, four out of seven home fires occur during December, January and February, and about half of these fires are caused by using candles and overloading electrical circuits. The American Red Cross recommends the following safety tips to help ensure a happy holiday season for you and your family this year:

 Keep Christmas trees fresh – Place your tree away from heat sources and exits; water it daily, and make sure that your artificial is fire-retardant.

Use electrical outlets and lights carefully – Check tree lights each year to make sure they are still in good condition. Never overload electrical circuits.

Decorate only with flame-retardant or non-combustible materials – Avoid using candles during parties. Check ashtrays, upholstery and trash cans for smoldering cigarette butts after any holiday party.

Keep candles away from the Christmas trees – Leave plenty of open space around candles and place them so that you can keep an eye on them. Don’t leave candles burning unattended and be sure that all candles are blown out when you are done with them.

Protect your children from fire hazards – Never leave children unattended in a room with lit candles and always keep candles, as well as matches and lighters, out of the reach of youngsters.

Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves – Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of any heating season. Burn only woodnever burn paper, including disgarded gift wrap, or pine boughs. If you plan to hang stockings on your fireplace, do not use the fireplace for fires.

Enroll in a First Aid, CPR and AED Course - Although these tips can help prevent an emergency, it is also important to be prepared should an emergency situation arise. To enroll in a first aid, CPR, AED course, contact the Suffolk County American Red Cross.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Opposition to drilling by Congress is a pain in the gas	2
William Zaruka, longtime Babylonian, veteran and volunteer	1
Editorial	1
West Babylon Alumni Foundation installs new officers	1
Heard It On The Grapevine	1