Be Mindful of Potential Christmas Tree Hazards While Decking the Halls |
Posted: January 7, 2018 |
According to the American Christmas Tree Association, nearly 80 percent of all households in the United States display a Christmas tree. There's no denying the many joys associated with decorating a tree for the holidays, whether it's real or artificial. However, there are some potential Christmas tree hazards to keep in mind while enjoying the many benefits of a tradition that's been embraced by Americans for nearly 200 years. Allergens and Mold Spores Real trees and wreaths can provide some added character to your decor. Unfortunately, you may also be bringing allergens and mold spores into your home at the same time. The good news is that it's not the evergreens themselves that can trigger allergies or aggravate respiratory ailments. Researchers studying one house with a real Christmas tree for a few weeks found that the mold spore count eventually got to more than five-times what's considered normal. Minimize your allergy risks with a real tree by either leaving it outside of the house in the garage or on a covered porch or by taking the time to shake it out and let it dry before bringing it inside. Ladders and Stools During a three-year period, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 17,000 people were treated in hospitals due to decorating-related falls. Specifically, it's younger decorators and men who are more likely to experience falls. Whether you're opting for Christmas clearance trees to make your home festive or relying on an artificial tree you've used for years, be careful on ladders and stools. Have someone serve as a spotter, especially if you're putting up things like light strings that will require a lot of movement. Christmas Tree Fires From 2011-15, fire departments in the United States responded to approximately 200 home fires each year attributed to Christmas trees, which resulted in six deaths and more than a dozen injuries. Reduce this risk by choosing artificial trees that are labeled as "fire resistant." With real trees, look for signs of freshness such as branches that are solidly green and not browning and needles that don't break when touched. Real trees should also be well-watered to further reduce fire risks. Penn State's Department of Entomology recommends having one quart of water per stem diameter in a tree's water stand, which should be able to hold about a gallon of water. It's also best to avoid real candles on trees, and tree lights shouldn't be left on overnight. Extension Cords The jumble of extension cords you use to keep everything lit on your tree can easily contribute to an electrical fire or damage your home's circuits. As long as we're on the subject of wiring, look for signs of frying on the wires on light strings or on train sets or other electronic accessories you may usually place around your tree. If you need extra outlets, either use a surge protector that has outlets on it or a specially designed extension cord that can accommodate multiple plugs safely. Small/Glass Ornaments When decorating your Christmas tree, consider who will likely be around it while it's up. If you live in a household with pets and younger children, keep smaller ornaments out of reach to avoid the risk of accidental ingestion. Be just as careful with glass ornaments, particularly older ones more likely to break easily. Hooks and broken ornaments that are undetected for a few days can contribute to cuts or be ingested by curious pets or toddlers. According to a study on ornament-related injuries in children, such injuries often involve glass ornaments located at a level very young children can reach and small light bulbs. Finally, be careful with your choice of decorations. It may be tempting to hark back to the days of yore and string your tree with popcorn or cranberries. But doing so could easily tempt Fido or Fluffy to pull on those strings and knock down the tree. Toddlers or young children may be equally tempted to grab at things that are edible. Also, watch the types of chemicals you mix in with the water you put under your real tree. By taking the proper precautions with your Christmas tree, your holiday season can be even merrier and safer.
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