How to stay safe this Christmas
Rocking around the Christmas tree this holiday season? The festive tree tradition always brings smiles to everyone’s faces, though that doesn’t mean you should ignore any safety concerns that could pop up during the holidays. In this post, we’ll give you a few safety tips that can help you and your family stay safe this Christmas.
Christmas Tree Risks
It may sound silly to talk about Christmas trees and health and safety risks, and we're not asking you to put yellow warning tape around it. However, it’s important to keep in mind that real trees are flammable and so can present a major fire risk, especially if you light the scented candles you received from your aunt nearby!
We asked Nick Higginson, CEO of Phoenix Health & Safety, to share some insights on Christmas tree safety: “Christmas trees, real ones in particular, are highly flammable and can pose a fire risk at home and in the office. Real Christmas trees will gradually dry out over time, after which they become an even greater fire hazard, as they will be easier to ignite and burn faster if set alight. Watering your tree regularly can help, as it means that your tree does not dry out as quickly. If you’re buying an artificial tree, search for high-quality ones that are labelled as being fire retardant. Finally, place your Christmas tree well away from any sources of ignition, such as open fires and candles.”
Shedding Christmas lights on safety
And Christmas trees aren’t the only element of celebrations which can cause hazards, as decorations can also present dangers. The first is dropped baubles which can shatter- we wouldn’t want anyone stepping on them like Marv in Home Alone!
Another item to keep an eye on is Christmas lights. We asked Nick about these too, and he had this to share: “Christmas lights can also be a fire hazard, as they can overheat if left on for long periods of time, or if one or more lamps have failed. This is why you should ensure that you are turning your tree lights off and unplugging them whenever you leave the house and overnight when you go to bed. LED lights, as opposed to older-style filament lamps, operate at a much lower temperature and are generally safer.”
“If you have older fairy lights that you have been using for many years, make sure you inspect them for any imperfections such as frayed wires or faulty plugs - if you notice any damage, it might be time to replace them. If you’re using an extension cord, be mindful not to overload it, as this can also lead to fires.”
You should also keep safety in mind when setting up your Christmas lights, whether it be on the outside of your house or in the garden. Before climbing any ladders, you should check that they're secure, stable and not set up on any fragile surfaces. If possible, you should also have someone with you to make sure the ladder doesn't slip. They can lend a helping hand too, ensuring you don’t have to overreach. Our working at height training is a short and affordable course that goes through all the key safety points about working on ladders or raised areas such as roofs. You can study it online in just 40 minutes, all without leaving your seat and get the lowdown on working up high.
At the end of the day, provided you make sensible safety decisions, you’ll be able to enjoy the holidays to their fullest without accident or injury! Just make sure to keep your trees watered and test your lights occasionally, a fire or other safety incident is the last thing anyone wants...unless of course you want to get out of seeing the in-laws.
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