Sunday, 02 December 2007 23:40
Prevent Holiday Fires
Christmas trees are
beautiful, but they can also
be very dangerous. Two hundred times a year, a dried-out Christmas tree catches
fire. Last year, those fires caused 10 deaths and $10 million in
property damage. During November and December each year, about 10,000 people
are taken to hospital emergency rooms as a result of falls, cuts, shocks and
burns caused by decorations at home. The best way to prevent fires is by
picking the freshest tree and watering it correctly. Julie Vallese, a spokesperson
for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, who appeared on CBS’s “The Early
Show,” says, "You don't want your Christmas tree to dry out.
And while a Christmas tree in
front of a fireplace may seem picture perfect, it's really not the place to put
your tree.” When picking a
tree, test it for freshness by grabbing the branches and making sure the
needles don't fall out. Also, tap it on the ground and make sure that
needles don't rain down. As soon as you get home, water your tree and check the
water level daily. You also want to pay attention to the lights you put on your tree. Make sure the
cords aren't frayed. And if they are, go buy yourself some new lights. You
just don't want to take that chance at all" says Vallese. Use only lights
that have been tested for safety by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory,
such as Underwriters Laboratory. Other beautiful, but lethal decorations can be
candles. "One hundred and seventy people die each year because of candle
fires. There's about 14,000 of those fires," said Vallese. "So, if
you are lighting a candle, make sure that its up high out of the reach of children and the family
pets. And each and every time you leave the room when it's unattended,
you need to blow it out because you just don't know what's going to happen with
one of those." contribution by CBS "The Early Show"
