As you are “making spirits bright” this holiday season, make sure you are taking steps to reduce fire hazards when decorating your home.
Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane said that starts with checking lights and cords for decorations to make sure they are in good shape.
“You want to make sure they’re not worn out or broken,” Crane said. “You don’t see any bare wires. Make sure the connections are tight. Try to choose decorations that are going to be flame-resistant or flame-retardant when you’re putting up the lights, things with the lights. LEDs are great because they don’t put off as much heat as older incandescent bulbs.”
Make sure outdoor decorations are rated for outdoor use, and be aware of limits for how many strands of light you can string together. Don’t follow Clark Griswold’s lead and use staples to hang your lights, and be safe on the ladder.
“The best thing is to have somebody actually holding the ladder for you, making sure that it’s stable,” Crane said. “If not, at least make sure somebody is aware that you’re going to be on the ladder, so if they don’t hear from you in a little while, or if they do hear a scream outside as you’re falling, they know to come and check on you.”
Be sure you are reducing the risks for hazards inside the home as well.
“Make sure that you don’t cover the cords with rugs, especially where there’s a connection,” Crane said. “Don’t run the cords across pathways, running them through the hallway or across a doorway where they could be a trip hazard. Make sure that with your decorations, try not to block the windows and doors.”
Don’t forget to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in working order.
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