Best Methods for Safe Holiday Decorating
Ensuring Safety While Decking the Halls This Festive Season
Nov 5, 2009
Dangers lurk when families deck the halls with lights, tinsel and holly. For instance, while lighting can do wonders to set a holiday mood – and not just in terms of using hundreds of strands of sparkling, blinking or "chasing" lights along rooftops and around trees – it can also create hazards. However, the following tips will help to make Christmas celebrations safer for small children.
Bright Ideas for Using Electricity Lights and Candles Safely
When it comes to the more common strands of electric lights, the American Safety and Health Institute cautions decorators to use indoor Christmas lights indoors and outdoor Christmas lights outdoors. In addition, don't run strands of lights under carpeting or space heaters, and make sure the cords aren't pinched by furniture, which can lead to sparks – or a fire.
It isn't necessary to go overboard with lighting to achieve a pleasant effect, and candles cast a glow that electric lights don't. Families can also use candles to set a mood, both through soft lighting and holiday scents. Vanilla fragrances, cinnamon-infused potpourri and clove-scents all help to create a cozy, relaxed feeling, but remember to use a candleholder as a safety measure when decorating with candles.
Regardless, parents should never leave lighted candles or burning fireplaces unattended. Be sure to turn off tree lights or blow out burning candles before going to bed, and do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire.
Some Other Decorating Safety Suggestions
The American Safety and Health Institute offered these ideas for keeping homes free of decor-related hazards:
- Small children can be confused about food and decorations, as holiday decorations tend to be colorful and accessible and wrapped just like candy. Parents should be careful to place these decorations out of reach of young children, so little ones are not tempted to touch, pull on, chew or throw these (often breakable) items.
- Make sure children don't put ornaments, tinsel or other decorations in their mouths. Choose non-lead tinsel in case of accidental ingestion. Also, if using "angel hair," place it higher on the Christmas tree to avoid skin and eye irritation, since it is made from spun glass.
- Mistletoe is a poisonous plant. Ingestion of any part of mistletoe can lead to gastroenteritis (sometimes referred to as "stomach flu"), hallucinations, hypertension and seizures. If a child ingests mistletoe, seek immediate medical help.
- Artificial snow sprays can irritate lungs, if inhaled. To avoid injury, make sure to read container labels and follow all directions carefully. Do not spray near or around asthmatic children, as it can lead to difficulties in breathing.
- Keep small children away from plastic shopping bags, wrappings, strings or bows to avoid the possibility of choking. In fact, some gift wrap contains lead, so make sure to dispose of it promptly to avoid children chewing on it.
A little common sense and a few simple precautions can ensure a safe and happy holiday for everyone in the family. Just being aware of the changes made to a home when decorations are displayed goes a long way toward recognizing potential hazards.
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