First, some ways to help you set the perfect winter-wonderland atmosphere at your house without having to call the fire department.
As a bonus, I've included this stress-free recipe for my signature roasted Cajun pecans that's sure to please visiting family and friends. Have a safe and happy holiday!
Fireplace safety tips:
• If you hung your stockings with care, you'll need to remove them before you light the hearth, preventing any fire hazard and potentially ruining any stocking stuffers inside.
• Install a screen in front of the fireplace to keep sparks from flying.
• Never use gasoline to start an indoor fire.
• Use seasoned, dried wood in the fireplace.
• Put out the fire before you go to bed.
• Remove ashes regularly, as they are flammable.
• Install a carbon-monoxide detector in your home.
• Don't burn wrapping paper, ribbons or bows as a means of disposing the trash from opening gifts; that can pose a health concern.
Christmas tree safety tips:
• If you buy an artificial tree, choose one with a label that says it is fire-resistant.
• Select the freshest live tree you can find. Its needles should be green and hard to pull from the branches. Needles shouldn't break when you bend them.
• Water your tree every day.
• Place the tree away from heat sources, including the fireplace and heating vents.
• Don't put up the tree too early. If it dries out, it will ignite more easily.
• Resist the temptation to burn your tree in the fireplace after Christmas. Needles and branches can cause a flash fire that's too intense for indoors.
• Replace tree lights often. Don't use any with cracked or frayed wires or damaged lights. String no more than three standard-size sets of lights per extension cord.
• Turn off the holiday lights before you go to bed or leave the house.
• Never put lighted candles on a tree.
• One unusual tip that can keep your Christmas tree fresh is to soak it in your pool overnight. Tie a rope around the trunk so you can retrieve it from the pool more easily. This allows the entire tree to soak up water and stay fresh much longer. Some people have told me this has helped the tree last through January.
Deep-fried turkey tips:
• Deep-fried turkeys had a bad reputation for years, because most deep fryers were gas-powered and safe only for use outdoors. I was reluctant at first to let go of my trusty gas deep fryer, but now I find electric deep fryers make frying a turkey easier, cleaner and much more safe. Most electric deep fryers cost $100 to $200.
• To fry your holiday bird, choose a high smoke-point oil, such as peanut, canola or sunflower, and search the Internet or ask friends for their favorite deep-fried-turkey marinade. Buy a smallish turkey -- eight to 10 pounds -- or you'll have to fry the turkey in parts.
Toy-safety tips:
• Check the minimum age recommendation on the package, and only buy gifts that suit a child's age, ability and interest level.
• Look for the letters "ASTM," which mean the toy meets the American Society for Testing and Materials' safety standards.
• Supervise children while they are using electronic toys. When they're done, put the toys away in a dry area out of smaller kids' reach.
• If the toy plugs in to the wall, teach the child how to safely use electrical outlets. Demonstrate how to "unplug" by pulling on the plug itself, not the cord.
• Avoid buying toys from thrift shops or garage sales; secondhand toys may not adhere to newer safety standards and could be dangerous.
Related articles:
Holiday Travel – 6 Safety Tips for Holiday Travelers
Simple tips to protect your home and valuables safe at holiday
Merry Christmas! Be smart and safe this holiday season
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