Willow Glen Resident

News

A little common sense makes for a safer, memorable holiday season

By Koren Temple

'Tis the season for eggnog, Christmas wreaths and all the holiday cheer old Saint Nick can conjure up.

But throughout the holiday season, it's important to enjoy holiday lights and decorations safely so as to avoid fires and injuries.

Each year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 8,700 people for injuries from falls, cuts and shocks related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees. In addition, Christmas trees are involved in about 400 fires annually, resulting in 20 deaths, 70 injuries and an average of more than $15 million in property loss and damage, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In effort to keep Willow Glen families safe this holiday season, fire and police officials said all Christmas trees should be given a gallon of water per day to ensure they don't dry out. Trees should be mounted properly and kept away from fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, portable heaters or other sources of heat. The tree should be placed in an area where it will not block an escape path in the event of an emergency.

When buying a plastic tree, make sure it has a "UL" label, which indicates it is flame retardant, and it is important never to use electric lights on a metallic tree.

When purchasing Christmas tree lights, inspect them for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections. If there is any damage, throw away or return the lights.

Lastly, while out shopping, pay attention to the surroundings and keep all items such as personal belongings or bags locked in the car trunk.