(NAPSA)—Most people tend to think big for the holiday season: more decorations hanging throughout the home, more presents apa ee: J ae stacked beneath the tree, more peo- ple gathered indoors, more frantic holiday food preparation—all leading to more opportunities for home injuries, especially if there are oa | - Ty ay A ri WT hel approach this holiday season by lead to more potential home hazards,” says David Oliver, execu- tive director of Lowe’s Home Safety Council. “The ‘less is more’ decorating concept not only looks better visually, but it can also decrease homeinjuryrisks.” Oliver offers the following home safety lessons to help families trim unsafe decorating clutter along with thetree: String Three or Fewer Strands A Lowe’s Home Safety Council survey reveals that 57 percent of people who decorate with lights string more than three strands together. Multiple strands of lights on a tree may be pretty but more than three strands joined together can overheat the wires and exten- sion cords and possibly causea fire. When hanging lights, check each set, new or old, for broken, unraveled or loose connections, and throw out damagedsets. Keep Candles to a Minimum Thoughlit candles create a nice holiday ambiance, having too many flamesis flirting with dan- children racing about the house. increasing the chances of choking high and mishaps low, pare down your usual home decorating lies need to realize that more decorations around the home could not to mention unsafe for small small figurines and miniature ornaments during the holidays, ing. To help keep festive spirits become overwhelmed with holiday spirit and decking the halls, fami- and Ornaments Cluttering your hallways and rooms with too many ornaments can be overwhelming to the eye, Eighty-three percent of families with small children decorate with youngchildren in the homeorvisit- featuring less rather than more. “This year, before Americans Use FewerFigurines 4 LNT pide tad dere fue alt Af ee ger. Keep decorative burning can- dles to a minimum and keep them away from fans, children, trees and cords to reduce the chances of a possible fire. The National Fire incidents or injuries with fallen or broken objects. Minimize the clutter and danger by making your home’s holiday atmosphere less chaotic and focusing on essential out-of-reach decorative pieces that children won't easily trip over or chokeon. Don’t Overload Outlets Many holiday decorations Protection Association (NFPA) reports that there is twice the number of home candle fires in important not to overload out- been responsible for 43 percent of tiple outlets are needed, and make sure extension cords are Be sure to turn off holiday thicker the cord, the greater the December than in an average month, and that candles have homedecorationfires each year. Turn Out Lights lights before going to sleep at night. Not only are you preventing a possible fire, you could also lessen your energy bill. Keep Kitchens Safe Although everyone mayoffer to help with food preparation and cooking, more people in the kitchen can be hazardous, especially when ovens and stoves are hot. The majority of household injuries, including fires, burns and poison- ings, occur in the kitchen. Also, make sure that your home has a working—andproperly installed— smoke alarm. About 30 percent of people surveyed claim to have dis- abled their smoke alarm while cooking. need to be plugged in, but it’s lets. Use surge protectors if mul- substantial enough to carry the intended load. Generally, the load it should be able to carry without overheating, but check the instructions. Make sure the extension cord has been tested by a lab, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Incorporating /ess rather than more this holiday season will keep mishaps low and smiles brighter than the twinkle lights on the tree. “No matter which holiday you observe this year, make sure it’s a safe one for you, your family, friends and guests,” says Oliver. For more information and tips on holiday home safety, visit loweshomesafety.org or call 1-800 SAFE HOME.
