Holidays, as well as being a time for celebration, can also be a time of tragedy. Introducing items such as decorations, Christmas trees, temporary lighting as well as large amounts of wrapping paper and boxes can increase the chance of a fire occurring in our home.

Below is a 1 minute demonstration by the FDNY on Holiday Fire Safety

 
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_eXql-OzCY]
 

Here are a few tips to help avoid any mishaps during this holiday season…

Click Here for your Printable Holiday Safety Checklist

• Never forget to unplug the Christmas tree lights at night or when leaving the room unattended for a long period of time.
• Use only non-combustible and flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.
• Keep the tree-stand filled with water. Very warm rooms can dry live trees out rapidly and cause a fire.
• Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches to prevent strangulation or choking.
• Try to avoid using tinsel. It is a choking hazard to curious children and pets.
• Avoid holiday decor that resemble candy and food that may be tempting for a young child.
• Be sure all electric toys are UL/FM approved.
• Older ornaments and decorations that might be painted with lead paint should be discarded or kept out of the reach of small children and pets. 
• Poinsettia plants are known to be poisonous to both humans and animals, so keep them well out of reach.
• When cooking for holiday visitors, always keep an eye on the range; unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States.
• When lighting a Menorah, keep candles out of reach of small children and away from flammable draperies.

Regardless of which holiday you celebrate, be sure to follow these safety tips to avoid any dangerous mishaps that could turn your celebration into a tragedy.

Happy Holidays from everyone here at New Empire Group!

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