| Winter Holiday Safety Tips |
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FIREPLACE SAFETY TIPS
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Never burn charcoal or use a hibachi in your fireplace. Both produce deadly carbon monoxide.
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Protect against sparks by enclosing a fireplace's opening with glass doors or a sturdy screen.
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Never close the flue while a fire is still smoldering. Carbon monoxide could build up.
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Never use gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid to start a fire. Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood.
For extra safety, light fires with long-stemmed matches.
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Have your fireplace and chimney inspected annually.
They should be properly vented and free of blockages. Have cleaned as needed.
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Protect the top of your chimney with a guard that keeps out birds and small animals and keeps in sparks that could ignite your roof.
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Keep flammables such as newspapers, magazines, rugs and carpeting well away from the fireplace.
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Remove holiday decorations from the fireplace and mantle before building a fire to avoid having the decorations ignite.
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Teach children to stay back from the fireplace.
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Never leave a fire unattended.
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Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
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| "Santa Checking the List" Custom Cards and Prints by Evie Fernandez Visit the San Clemente Art Gallery |
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Christmas Tree Safety Tips
- When you buy your tree, have the vendor make a fresh cut an inch from the bottom; this will help the tree drink.
- If you buy your tree early and keep it outside, store it away from wind and sun, and keep the bottom in a bucket of water.
- Make sure your lights are safe. If you need outdoor lights, make sure the ones you buy are meant for outdoor use. Make sure your lights carry certification from a testing laboratory.
- Don't use electric lights on a metal tree.
- Discard any strings of lights that are frayed or broken. Christmas lights are cheap.
- Unplug your Christmas tree before you leave or go to bed.
- Don't buy a tree that is dry and dropping needles. To check for freshness, loosely grip the end of a branch and pull your hand over it. Only a few needles should fall off.
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| Christmas Tree Shopping Painting by Barb Ross |
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| "Window Shopping" Holiday Painting by Barb Ross |
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| Christmas Tree Safety (cont'd)
- Make sure your tree stand holds plenty of water, and don't let it run out.
- If your tree seems wobbly, center it in the stand more securely and redo the bolts or screws.
- If your tree stand is too small, buy a larger, stronger one.
- If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it is fire-retardant.
- Keep your tree at least three feet from furnaces, radiators and fireplaces.
- Try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits.
- Keep a close eye on small children when they are around the tree; many small decorations and ornaments are sharp, breakable and can be swallowed.
- When Christmas is over or when the tree starts to drop needles, dispose of it. Don't leave it in your house or put it in your garage.
- After your family's celebrations, remove the tree and dispose of it properly.
Contact your garbage disposal service to learn the details of their holiday tree removal program.
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| Candles and Poinsettia Oil Painting by Barb Ross |
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CANDLE SAFETY TIPS
Make sure an adult is in the room and paying attention whenever you light a candle.
Blow out all candles before going to sleep or leaving the room.
Do not permit children to keep or use candles or incense in their rooms.
Candles should only be used when a sober adult is present and awake.
Never use lighted candles on or near a Christmas tree or other evergreens.
Keep candles at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including other decorations and wrapping paper.
Always use stable, nonflammable candle holders with a hurricane glass to protect the open flame.
Place candles where they will not be knocked down or blown over and out of reach of pets and young children.
If you have children in your home, store candles, matches and lighters out of their sight and reach in a locked cabinet.
To eliminate the risk of an open candle flame, use battery-powered candles whenever possible, especially when you combine candles with greenery or other decorations.
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| "Candle Ambience" Pastel Painting by Joanna Richardi |
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| Custom Fine Art Christmas Cards Visit the San Clemente Art Gallery Painting by Barb Ross |
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