Happy Holidays! Decorating for the season is a fun way to celebrate and get in the holiday spirit, but it’s important to be careful. Emergency rooms host thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season.

Stay safe by following these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Keep potentially poisonous plants – mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis – away from children and pets
• If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”
• If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption
• Place the tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways
• Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children and pets can reach them
• Be sure to water the tree daily while it is displayed, and remove it from the house/office once it becomes dried out
• Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors — and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights
• Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections
• Follow the package directions to determine the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket
• Never nail, tack, or stress wire when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow
• Turn off all lights and decorations when going to bed or leaving the house/office

For more holiday safety tips, visit https://www.nsc.org/.../seasonal.../winter-safety/holiday and https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/611.pdf

HazTek Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive safety management services designed to protect workers by enhancing workplace safety. For additional information on ladder safety or electrical safety or to learn more about HazTek’s services, please contact us at 888.842.9835, email us at info@haztekinc.com, or visit our website at www.haztekinc.com

Credit: National Safety Council and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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