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goodnatured
Joined: 03 Nov 2007
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Posts: 3996
1079 Magic Points
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Subject: Christmas Safety
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Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:53 pm
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Quote:
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC Warns: Avoid Hazards Related to Holiday
Decorating
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Holiday decorations, like candles and Christmas trees, add to the festive mood of the
season; but when decorations are not used properly, they can result in fires, injuries and death. The U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging families to keep safety in mind when stringing holiday
lights, purchasing Christmas trees, and lighting candles this holiday season.
CPSC estimates there are more than 14,000 candle-related fires each year, which result in about 170 deaths and
$350 million in property loss. Dried-out Christmas trees are involved in about 200 fires annually, resulting in 10
deaths, and about $10 million in property damage. During November and December of each year, about 10,000
people are treated in hospital emergency rooms as a result of falls, cuts, shocks and burns related to holiday
decorating.
“Consumers can keep holiday decorating traditions from becoming tragedies by following a few simple safety
tips,” said Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord. “Keep the holidays festive by creating a fire-safe home.”
To help prevent holiday-related incidents, CPSC is monitoring the marketplace and Internet for dangerous holiday
lights and decorations. CPSC also continues to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify and
prevent unsafe holiday decorations from being distributed in the U.S.
Use the following safety tips when decorating this year:
Trees and Decorations:
???? When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the
tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree is more resistant to burning.
???? When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from
branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin,
and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
???? When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry
out live trees rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and
do not block doorways.
???? Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of
plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
???? In homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp or breakable decorations, keep trimmings
with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid
trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
???? To avoid eye and skin irritation, wear gloves when decorating with spun glass "angel hair."
???? To avoid lung irritation, follow container directions carefully while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
Lights:
???? Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally-recognized testing
laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA. Use only newer lights that have thicker wiring and are required to
have safety fuses to prevent the wires from overheating.
???? Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose
connections. Throw out damaged sets.
???? If using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the intended use.
???? Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights,
and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
???? When using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use and only plug
them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected receptacles or a portable GFCI.
???? Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
Candles:
???? Keep burning candles within sight.
???? Keep lighted candles away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens,
decorations, curtains and furniture.
???? Always use non-flammable holders and keep away from children and pets.
???? Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room or leave the house.
Fireplaces:
???? Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy
metals that, if eaten, can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting. Keep them away from
children.
???? Do not burn wrapping paper or plastic items in the fireplace. These materials can ignite suddenly and burn
intensely, resulting in a flash fire.
???? Place a screen around your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby flammable materials.
Get a free brochure with holiday decorating and toy safety tips at CPSC’s web site www.cpsc.gov
_________________
Goodnatured,
http://cashinpocket.synthasite.com/
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Dadummy
Joined: 15 Nov 2007
Dadummy's page
Posts: 636
20 Magic Points
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Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:15 pm
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| Good stuff to know, we sometimes get all wrapped up in the season that we forget the simple things. thanks for a good post. |
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goodnatured
Joined: 03 Nov 2007
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Posts: 3996
1079 Magic Points
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Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:44 pm
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No problem the more people that are safer this year and use common sense the better.
Alot of people do get all wrapped up in the holiday spirit and ignore or overlook simple safety.
_________________
Goodnatured,
http://cashinpocket.synthasite.com/
for all the ways I make $$ online |
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george
Joined: 06 Jul 2006
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Posts: 75
2859 Magic Points
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Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:42 am
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This is a great post I would say. We forget everything during holidays. Only kids and travel and picnic and theaters, cakes, what not. A reminder like this really appreciated Good. Thanks again.
_________________
George Miranda
Money does not buy happiness. Happiness is found in being content with who you are and what you have. |
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goodnatured
Joined: 03 Nov 2007
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Posts: 3996
1079 Magic Points
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Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:49 am
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awww, you are so welcome george, I am really glad that you are here and participating in our forum, we really needed members that would contribute and you have done an excellent job.
_________________
Goodnatured,
http://cashinpocket.synthasite.com/
for all the ways I make $$ online |
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crackerjack
Joined: 03 Dec 2007
crackerjack's page
Posts: 171
6 Magic Points
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Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:07 am
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| this is a really good post, i always make sure that my tree and lights and anything else that is electric is unplugged before I go to bed or go away from home. I get nervous when I hear about the fires around the holidays and you know alot of it can be avoided just by checking everything twice, just like santa does, lol. |
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carol
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
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Posts: 1362
Location: Los Angeles, California
29592 Magic Points
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Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:51 am
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Santa checks twice? I dint know that. 
_________________
Keep in touch
Carol |
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goodnatured
Joined: 03 Nov 2007
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Posts: 3996
1079 Magic Points
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Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:59 am
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He's making a list, he's checking it TWICE, he's gonna find out, whose naughty or nice.
LOL, remember.
_________________
Goodnatured,
http://cashinpocket.synthasite.com/
for all the ways I make $$ online |
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Guest
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Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:21 am
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| I like your sense of humour |
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goodnatured
Joined: 03 Nov 2007
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Posts: 3996
1079 Magic Points
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Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:34 am
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Have to have one these days, what is life but a big pile of complaints if you don't have a sense of humor, LOL.
_________________
Goodnatured,
http://cashinpocket.synthasite.com/
for all the ways I make $$ online |
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Laura
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Laura's page
Posts: 1400
34731 Magic Points
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Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:24 am
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_________________
Regards,
Laura. |
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goodnatured
Joined: 03 Nov 2007
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Posts: 3996
1079 Magic Points
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Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:17 pm
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Today there is an ice storm here, so I am taking a personal day, too crappy to drive and risk wrecking, I trust myself, but can't control the other drivers who think its okay to go fast in bad conditions. So I am at home today, will do some much needed cleaning and then relax.
_________________
Goodnatured,
http://cashinpocket.synthasite.com/
for all the ways I make $$ online |
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Laura
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Laura's page
Posts: 1400
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Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:59 am
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That is a great idea Good. Relax as much and you will be back to work very soon
_________________
Regards,
Laura. |
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