Safe Holidays Are The Best
If you have been reading along since I started this column back in 2004, then you know that some things happen year after year—like canning tomatoes, raking leaves and shoveling snow.
So, it’s the time of year to remind ourselves about some important safety points for the upcoming holidays.
Sometimes we take these safety tips for granted, but they are important to remember.
Do not overload your outlets with too many light strings. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that electric receptacles are involved in 5,300 fires annually. Check the condition of your outlets, see if plugs fit “loosely”
or “fall out” easily. If so, the outlet may have damage under the cover plate.
In the use of extension cords, check for frays or twists and check its “capacity” on the attached label before using. Do not fasten extension cords with staples or pull them over hooks, under rugs, behind curtains, or any area where heat can be trapped. It is estimated that about 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords each year.
Before putting up your Christmas lights, carefully inspect light strings, cords, plugs and receptacles, and dispose of damaged items. Use only lights that are tested and labeled by an approved testing laboratory (such as UL®).
When you replace a bulb on a light string, ensure that the voltage and/or wattage marked on the light set is compatible with the replacement light. Unplug the lights before you replace the bulb so there is no danger of shock.
Before the holidays, test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, safety-check all fire extinguishers, and take an hour this Saturday to go through each area of the home and consider safety as the holidays approach.
Finally, here is a great gift idea for the holidays: Put together a gift basket for someone you love with one or more of the following items:
smoke detector and batteries
quality fire extinguisher
flashlight & batteries or light sticks
first-aid kit
carbon monoxide detector
mobile phone
second floor escape ladder
Do this and you’ll sleep better at night… or at least more safely.
Tim Keenan is Cherryland’s safety supervisor.
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