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Keep your home & family safe this Christmas with helpful holiday tips:

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​1. Never place your tree near a heat source, such as a fireplace or portable heater.

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2. If you have small children or pets, trim the lower branches to avoid eye injuries.

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​3. Hang all potentially dangerous ornaments (breakable, have small, detachable parts or metal hooks, or that look like food or candy) on higher branches where small children can’t reach them. Florist’s wire, which can be twisted firmly around branches, is a great way to hang fragile ornaments.

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​4. Keep pets out of the room in which the tree is placed, especially if you can’t be there to supervise. Cats are notorious for leaping onto Christmas trees, especially when pursued by another pet. Keep the tree from toppling by tying it to a ceiling hook. Both cats and dogs can knock down and break glass ornaments, then cut themselves on the pieces. Pets may also gnaw on electrical cords for Christmas-tree lights. Hide cords when possible, or help prevent injury by purchasing a pet-proof conduit, which will enclose cords and wires.

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​5. Avoid using artificial snow sprays, which can cause lung irritation if inhaled.

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​6. Turn off tree lights when you go to bed or leave the house. Use only UL-approved electrical decorations and extension cords, and check that no cords have frayed since you last used the lights.

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​7. Never burn Christmas-tree branches in your fireplace. It can cause the buildup of creosote, a highly flammable compound.

#1 Tree Tip:

No Hassle. No Mess.​

 

Place a garbage bag around the base of your tree, but over the tree stand. Then put your tree skirt on top of the bag so the bag is hidden. When it's time to take down your tree, carefully take off the tree skirt and pull the garbage bag up around your tree and take it (along with any fallen needles) out the door! Simple.