Safety Tips for Holiday Decorating in Erie

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Attorney Grant Travis | Travis Law Firm | Personal Injury Attorney, DUI Defense Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney | Serving Erie, Crawford, Warren & all of Northwestern PA | Call the Travis Law Firm at 814-277-2222 today!

Some families begin holiday decorating before or on Thanksgiving Day. If you are preparing to decorate your home for the holidays, these holiday decorating safety tips can make your home safe and beautify this holiday season.

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

When choosing and decorating your Christmas tree this season, remember to:

  • Choose an artificial tree that is labeled as “fire resistant.” Fire-resistant trees will still catch fire and burn; however, these trees are more resistant to fire than other artificial trees.
  • If you prefer a live Christmas tree, you need to choose a tree that is plump, with lush green needles. The needles should not fall off or break apart when you run the needs through your fingers or bend the needles.
  • After you get your tree home, make sure to put it in the stand immediately or cut another inch from the trunk immediately before placing it in the tree stand. Your tree needs to be able to drink water to avoid drying out. If you do not place the trunk into the water right after cutting the trunk, sap can cause the cut to reseal.
  • Keep your tree stand full of water. You should check the stand each day.
  • Some decorations can be very dangerous for small children and pets. If you have children and pets, make sure to avoid Angel hair, artificial snow, tinsel, breakable ornaments, and ornaments with small pieces.
  • Make sure that your tree is not top-heavy. Trees that fall over can cause injury.
  • Keep trees, and other holiday decorations, away from the fireplace or other heat sources.
  • Never use electric lights to decorate a metallic tree.

General Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

In addition to the above tips about trees, you should also keep in mind to:

  • Check lights before using them on your tree, in your home, or outside your home. Strings of lights with frayed or exposed wires should be thrown
  • Always check to make sure that the lights are rated for outdoor or indoor use.
  • Never run lights or cords under rugs or under furniture
  • Do not overload an electrical outlet with more plugs that the outlet is designed to handle.
  • If you are decorating with candles, make sure you extinguish the candles when you leave a room, go to sleep, or leave your home. Keep candles out of the reach of children, other decorations, and pets.
  • Some holiday plants are poisonous, such as poinsettias and some plants with berries. Keep these plants out of the reach of pets and children.
  • Use a step-ladder to reach high places when decorating to avoid falls.
  • Store wrapping and ribbons away from children and pets. Ribbons and bows can be a choking hazard to pets and children.
  • Avoid decorations that resemble food or candy. A child may attempt to eat these decorations.

Have a Safety Plan

No one ever wants to think that a fire might start from holiday decorations; however, it is best to be prepared.  Have a safety plan and escape route in place and practice it often, especially if you have small children. Everyone should know how to respond to a fire or other emergency, including how to get out of the home. Practicing your emergency plan can save your family if a true emergency occurs.

Erie Personal Injury Attorneys

Our law firm wants to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. However, we also want you to know we will be here to help you if you or your family need an attorney. You may contact The Travis Law Firm at (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our Erie personal injury lawyers.