Deck the Halls Safely: Tips for a Happy and Accident-Free Holiday Season!
by Town of High River
13/12/2023
Community
As the holiday season approaches, taking small steps, from managing Christmas trees and home decorations to being cautious with candles, can go a long way towards preventing accidents or mishaps.
The following tips are designed to help guarantee a safe and joyous holiday season.
Oh, Christmas Tree
If you are choosing a real tree for this year's holidays, follow these tips:
- Ensure the tree has green, fresh needles and is kept well-watered
- Keep all trees at least three feet away from any heat source and be sure the tree is not blocking any exit
- Check lights to ensure they are in good shape, not frayed and safe for indoor use
- Do NOT use real candles on your tree
- Don't overdo connections—check instructions and replace any lights in disrepair
Lights and Decorations
Indoor holiday lights add so much joy at this time of year, especially when done safely:
- Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory (CSA). Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections
- Never use candles to decorate the tree
Family Safety
The best part of any holiday season is the quality time spent with family and loved ones. Make sure your family is safe this holiday season:
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles and safely hide matches and lighters
- When cooking, stay close to the oven or stovetop and have a working fire extinguisher handy
- If there are any smokers in the home, provide large, deep ashtrays and WET the cigarette butts before tossing them in the trash
- Smokers could step outside for extra safety – and keep smoking materials up high and away from children and pets
Ice Emergencies
The winter brings fun activities like hockey, ice skating, ice fishing and more. When temperatures fluctuate, venturing onto the ice on any body of water can be fatal. If you fall in or witness an emergency, call for help and dial 9-1-1!
Read the Stay Safe this Winter: Practice Ice Safety news piece for more ice safety tips.
- 30 -
For more information:
Town of High River
403-652-2110