Keeping Your Montgomery Home Safe During the Holidays

The scene we often envision at this time of year is one of family and friends sitting around a blazing fire with a brightly lighted tree, stockings hung from the mantel, and colorfully wrapped gifts adding to the cozy and festive atmosphere of your Montgomery home. A setting lovely to imagine--and to experience--but also one which requires awareness and safety precautions. Fires occurring during the holidays claim the lives of more than 400 Americans each year, and approximately 2 to 3 people per hour are treated in an emergency room due to "decorating" falls and other seasonal injuries.

At the time of year when lists--gift lists, menu lists, activities lists, and to do lists, e.g..--play such a large role in our lives, it is also necessary to establish a safety checklist to ensure an accident-free holiday for your family, guests, and even your pets. Suggestions for taking precautions include the following:

DECORATIONS

• Inspect lights for damage and link no more than 3 strands together. Use only UL approved and only as directed--indoor lights should not be used outside. Beware of overloading outlets. Don't leave on when you're not home.

• If you prefer a live tree, make certain it is fresh when you buy it and water, water, water!

• Use non-flammable or flame retardant decorations.

• Never leave lighted candles unattended, near combustible materials, or within reach of children or pets. Make certain to extinguish them before retiring for the night.

FIREPLACES

• Place the tree in your Montgomery home at least 3 feet away from the fireplace.

• Keep a screen in front of the fire to prevent flying sparks.

• If you hang stockings from the mantel, be sure to remove them when the fireplace is in use.

• Choose your decorating materials carefully, avoiding combustibles whenever possible. Make certain that ribbons and/or greenery are far from the flames.

• Never burn wrapping paper in your fireplace and risk a flash fire.

GUESTS

• When entertaining friends at your Montgomery home, be certain that you have childproofed your home--not just to protect breakables but also to protect young ones from matches, chemicals, or medicines.

• Make sure that outside walkways and steps are well lighted at night.

• Use nightlights in hallways and bathrooms.

• Add non-slip mats in your tub and shower--and possibly grab bars for the older set.

PETS

• Avoid feeding the cats or dogs which also reside in your Montgomery home food such as rich and fatty fowl meat, onions, grapes, raisins, or chocolate.

• Do not give animals turkey bones as they will splinter and cause great damage.

• Keep all trash out of reach. Better yet, take it outside frequently.

• Because the arrival of guests, noise, and constant activity of the holidays can be quite stressful for a pet, be sensitive about giving it a quiet place and time alone. Exercise or play time is also useful, especially before company arrives.

• As with children, keep pets away from lighted candles, fireplace flames, and the kitchen while cooking is going on.

Got all that? If so, relax and enjoy the season!