Red Cross Holiday Safety and Decorating Safety

COLUMBIA, SC  ( WOLO)– During the holiday season, an average of 40 home fires per day in the country are caused by children playing, according to the Red Cross.

Here are  fire safety tips from the American Red Cross to keep in mind when decorating and enjoying the holidays.

1. Keep children, pets & decorations away from lit candles and consider using flameless candles instead. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
2. Choose decorations and artificial trees that are flame resistant or flame retardant. If you purchase a real tree, make sure that it has fresh, green needles that aren’t easily broken. Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water.
3. Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
4. Place Christmas trees, candles, and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles. If hanging stockings on the fireplace, do not use fireplace for fires.
5. Make sure that light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords or loose bulb connections and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.