Safe Holidays Make Happy Holidays: American Red Cross Offers Holiday Safety Tips

Keep Christmas trees fresh - Place your tree away from heat sources and exits; water it daily. Make sure your artificial tree is fire-retardant.

Use electrical outlets and lights carefully - Inspect your lights before you use them and use lighting that is listed by an approved testing laboratory. Don't overload electrical outlets and always unplug all lights when leaving the house or going to bed. Don't link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe. Periodically check the wires; they should not be warm to the touch.

Decorate only with flame-retardant or non-combustible materials - Avoid using candles during parties. Check ashtrays, upholstery and trash cans for smoldering cigarette butts after any holiday party.

Be careful with candles - Make sure they are in a stable holder and place them where they cannot be easily knocked over. Keep candles away from Christmas trees, decorations or other flammable materials. Don't leave children or pets unattended in a room with lit candles and keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.

Cook with care - When cooking, do not wear loose-fitting clothing. Hot burners can ignite it. Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended, and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven.

Always turn pot handles in. Don't store items on the stovetop. Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition and always turn them off after use. Don't overload electrical outlets and don't use appliances with frayed or cracked wires.

Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" around the stove. Keep pets from underfoot so you do not trip while cooking. Also, keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto a burner.

Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves - Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of the heating season. Burn only wood -never burn paper, including discarded gift wrap, or pine boughs. If you plan to hang stockings on your fireplace, do not use the fireplace for fires.

Enroll in a First Aid, CPR and AED Course - Although these tips can help prevent an emergency, it is also important to be prepared should an emergency situation arise. To enroll in a first aid, CPR or AED course, call the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400, ext. 247.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 23,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.