Don’t Let Dangerous Decorations Dim Holiday Spirits

(ARA) - Ah, the holidays - 'tis the season for twinkling lights, gently glowing candles and festive decor. Unfortunately, it's also the season for thousands of decorating-related injuries and decoration-fueled home fires.

"You can keep your holidays bright and memorable for the right reasons by following a few simple safety guidelines," says John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for Underwriters Laboratories (UL), one of the world's leading product safety certification organizations that tests more than 19,000 types of products each year.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and UL recommend families practice "TLC" - Tree, Light and Candle safety - when decorating this holiday season.

*T is for Tree - Tree fires, which often occur in a central location of the home, cause the most significant fire-related losses during the holidays. Trim one to two inches off the bottom of the trunk before putting it in the base and always keep the base filled with water. Keep trees at least three feet from heat sources and make sure they never block an exit.

*L is for Lights - Inspect lights, extension cords and electrical items every year to ensure they're in good condition. Look for the UL Mark (the letters "UL" inside a circle) on your lights for reassurance they have been tested to strict UL requirements that help avoid foreseeable safety risks.

*C is for Candle - Candles cause 71 percent of December home fires that begin as a result of improper decorating practices. Never leave a room while a candle is burning.
Keep candles away from decorations, curtains, bedding, paper, furniture and other combustible materials, and out of the reach of children and pets.

To learn more about how to have a safe and worry-free holiday, please visit, www.ul.com/newsroom/gift.

Courtesy of ARAcontent