Be safe this holiday season.
Assemble and inspect all tools and materials before beginning actual decoration installation.
Be aware of local or homeowner association regulations and restrictions on holiday decorations.
If using a ladder, check the condition of rails, rungs, and brackets before positioning or climbing it. It is better to not use a metal ladder when installing electrical decorations if avoidable. Set ladders so the feet are on a stable, even and clean dry base. Have a spotter, if available, to help steady the ladder, pass materials and tools, and prevent persons from entering the drop zone.
Survey the location where you intend to install decorations to ensure that nails, screws or brackets will not penetrate electrical or other utility lines. Use the proper style and size hanger for the weight of the decoration you intend to mount.
Decorations should never block any means of egress nor access to utility shut-offs, including faucets, outlets, or meters. Be sure your street address numbers are not obscured by decorations, either. If you use an outdoor lighting socket as a power source for holiday decorations, make certain the lighting you temporarily disable is not safety-critical.
Young children and pets should be kept out of areas where decorations are being installed; it’s very difficult to handle tools and materials properly and safely while keeping an eye on them.
Indoor Holiday Lighting Tips:
Buy/Use only lighting sets and extension cords that bear the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) label and are specifically marked for indoor use.
Make certain that you take the time to unroll/untangle and inspect each set of lights – new or old – for worn insulation, bare/frayed wires, broken or cracked sockets, and loose connections. If you find any such damage, do not try to repair the set. Throw it away. Replace broken/damaged lamps/bulbs (and unplug the set prior to changing lamps/bulbs!)
Be careful not to overload electrical outlets. Always look for the manufacturer’s recommendations on the number of light sets that can be strung together and other precautions listed on the packaging for the lights. If no manufacturer’s instructions are available, as a general rule, never string more than three sets of lights per single extension cord.
Protect the electrical wires from damage. Don’t run lights/wires behind drapes, under carpets, through doorways, or where they will be walked on. Don’t use nails or tacks to hang wires. Plastic non-conductive "hangers" are available for various holiday light-set hanging needs.
Always unplug lights before doing any maintenance work on them.
Outdoor Lighting Considerations:
Buy/Use only lighting sets and extension cords that bear the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) label and are specifically marked for outdoor use.
Always look for the manufacturer’s recommendations on the number of light sets that can be strung together and other precautions listed on the packaging for the lights.
Check all light sets for fraying, aging and heat damage. Throw away any sets that show signs of damage.
Connect sets of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into an outlet.
Always test your light sets before setting up your ladder – replacing broken/burnt-out bulbs is much easier on the ground than on a ladder/roof!
To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples: do not use nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove or disconnect them.
Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with GFI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protection to avoid potential shocks.
If you are using a ladder, avoid contact with overhead power lines when setting up your ladder, stringing lights or working on the roof.
Wherever extension cords and light sets are connected together outdoors, keep the connections dry by wrapping them with friction tape or plastic.
Tree Safety:
Fresh Trees. When selecting your tree, make sure to shake the tree vigorously, tap it on the ground, and watch for excessive loss of needles. If the tree loses a lot of needles, it’s already drying out, and a dry tree significantly increases the risk of the tree catching fire in your home. The trunk butt should be sticky with resin. Fresh trees should be green and the needles should be difficult to pull from the branches. Another good test is to take a single needle and bend it between your fingers. The needle should bend, not break.
Once you’ve selected a fresh tree and gotten it home, secure it in a sturdy stand and provide it with adequate water. At holiday time, many stores carry products designed to help you keep track of when your tree needs water. Keeping your tree well-watered will keep it supple so it retains its needles, making for fewer cleanups after the holidays and a lesser fire danger. Be sure to keep the stand filled with water because both cut and live trees dry out, and do so rapidly in heated rooms.
Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded materials (hopefully you won’t even find "leaded" metal products available anywhere!)
Artificial Trees. If you’re considering an artificial tree, the most important thing to look for is the "Fire Resistant" label. This means the tree has been treated with a chemical that makes it resist burning – it does not mean the tree can’t, or won’t, catch on fire. NEVER use electric lights on metallic trees – use spotlights for illumination. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
Greens. Evergreen (but NEVER cedar) cuttings may be used in limited quantities, but keep greens away from heat sources (radiators, air vents, large appliances, light receptacles, etc.) and don’t smoke near trees or greens. To be as safe as possible, greens/cuttings used for door adornment or for corridor/stairwell decorations (or really for use anywhere other than as a table centerpiece) should be flame-proofed by flocking or other treatment.
Tree Lighting. Decorate the tree first, and plug in the lights last.
Try to insure your lamps/bulbs don’t touch the tree or other decorations. Take time to unroll/untangle and carefully inspect each set of lights before stringing it on a tree. It’s easier to find and replace broken and burnt-out bulbs before stringing your lights on the tree! (And if a light set doesn’t work at all, better to know so before it’s on the tree, too!)
Turn off or unplug your indoor holiday lighting whenever the decorated area of the house is unattended – not just when going to bed or leaving the house. Nowadays, relatively cheap wired and wireless "remote control" switches are available to ease this task (and keep you from having to crawl/bend behind a Christmas tree or furniture to unplug a lighting set/scene.) Outdoor lighting timers and remote-control sets are also available and should be considered.
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. When using candles for holiday accents, always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they cannot be overturned.
In homes with small children and/or pets, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable; keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children and/or pets to avoid them swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas promptly after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child, or pet, or can ignite if near a heat source.
Live Tree & Greens/Cuttings Removal. Live trees and greens/cuttings should be removed as soon as practical after the holiday for which they were used.
Pets:
Tips to Keep your Cat Safe:
Christmas is an exciting time for the family, but it always pays to take some extra precautions with our pets. Cats are naturally curious. There are many dangers around; below are some suggestions on how to ensure your cat stays safe during the Christmas period.
Christmas Tree/Decorations
The only fool proof way to keep your cat away from your Christmas tree is to put the tree in a room the cat can't access. Unfortunately, this is often not practical. So the next best solution is to make the tree as safe as possible. Real Christmas trees are more dangerous to cats than fake plastic ones. Pine needles can puncture internal organs if eaten; they are also toxic to cats. If you do have a real tree, make sure the drink stand has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out & losing needles. It is important that your cat isn't able to get to this water & drink it as it could result in poisoning. Ensure the tree has a good solid base so it won't easily be knocked over by your cat. Try not to have the tree near furniture & or shelves which the cats could use to jump onto the tree.
Be careful with tinsel, if you must have it on your tree; place it at the top of the tree where the cat is less likely to be able to get at it. Tinsel can be caught around the base or move down to the intestines & stomach & cause a blockage, which will result in emergency (and costly) surgery to remove it. A safer alternative are the strands of beads. Ornaments should be securely attached to the tree to prevent them being knocked off. Also place delicate ornaments up high where they're less likely to be knocked off & broken. When there is nobody around, unplug Christmas lights, you may want to try applying a cat repellent such as bitter apple to the lights to deter your cat from chewing the wires, obviously if this was to happen it could cause a fatal electric shock.
Artificial snow is toxic to cats, so is best avoided.
Candles are especially popular over the Christmas holiday period, be careful to make sure your cat can't get close to lit candles.
Please note, your cat isn't a novelty item & it's dangerous to try & decorate your cat with ribbons etc.
Plants
Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias are all popular plants to have in the home at Christmas, especially in the northern hemisphere. These plants are toxic to cats so should be placed where your cat can't get to them.
Food/Sweets/Chocolate
Many cat owners enjoy giving their cat the occasional treat of "human" food & generally this doesn't harm the cat. However, it is important to remember that some foods which are fine for humans to eat can be toxic to cats. The odd sliver of chicken or turkey (off the bone) is fine, however it really isn't a good idea to give them large quantities of such food as this can lead to gastrointestinal problems. Never give your cat cooked chicken or turkey bones, these bones can splinter & can become lodged in your cat's throat or puncture the intestines & stomach. Chocolate is toxic to cats, the darker the chocolate, the more toxic. Chocolate contains both caffeine & theobromine, which are both toxic. If you suspect your cat has eaten chocolate watch for signs of restlessness & vomiting, if in doubt, see your vet.
Cats will often scavenge for food in the garbage so be aware that if you've covered your turkey with foil & thrown it in the bin, your cat may drag it out & chew on it which could make the cat sick. Cooked turkey bones will also attract your cat. Be aware of this & if possible, take your food scraps etc., to your outside bin.
Christmas ribbons/wrap
Ribbons etc., pose the same problem as tinsel, if eaten, it may lead to intestinal blockages. It's important to ensure all ribbons/wrap etc., are safely disposed of.
Visitors
Some cats love the attention of visitors; others find strangers in their house stressful. Christmas is often a busy time with visitors coming & going. Be mindful of your cat's feelings & give the cat the option of somewhere quiet to escape to should the need arise, this is particularly important if your friends & relatives have young children.
Going Away for Holidays
If you are going away on holiday, you have several options for your cat. You may choose to put your cat in a boarding cattery while you are gone. It is best to check out the premises prior to taking your cat there so you can ensure the cattery meets your standards. Any reputable boarding cattery will insist your cat is up to date on its vaccinations, this is important for the well being of your cat & all other cats they have boarding there. Many vets also do boarding for cats but in my opinion this isn't ideal for more than a few days as their cages tend to be much smaller than those you'd expect to find in a boarding cattery.
There are a growing number of pet sitters available these days. They will come over once or twice a day to feed & play with your cat & to clean the litter tray. I find this most suitable when going away for a few days.
If you are going away for an extended period of time you may want to consider asking a friend or relative to house sit.
Whichever option you take, make sure you leave a phone number where you can be contacted & your vet's telephone number in case of an emergency.
Toys
When buying toys for your cat, make sure you thoroughly check them first. Similar precautions should be taken with your cat's toys as you'd take buying a toy for a young child. Make sure there is nothing glued on that the cat can pull off & swallow. As the toy will quite likely be chewed on, ensure that it's made from a non-toxic substance. There are many wand like toys on the market which most cats love, these should be put away safely when not in use because the cat could become tangled on the string. Any toy that is small enough for your cat to swallow is dangerous & should be avoided.
Tips to Keep your Dogs Safe:
When you decide to "deck the halls" for the holidays, think about Christmas tree puppy/dog safety. Your puppy/dog may believe the Christmas tree is a special gift just for his entertainment. The attraction is natural, with puppies/dogs wanting to chew branches, pull off decorations, or worse. The result is a holiday that’s anything but merry.
Puppies turn everything into a toy. The branches beneath the tree create a great puppy hideout. Tree ornaments that move or make noises lure puppies to grab and chase, garland offers a great game of tug-o’-war, and the twinkling lights draw them to investigate or even chew. That can lead to electrical shock that might even require rescue breathing to save the pup's life. Trees end up toppled, presents and decorations damaged, and sometimes pets are hurt.
Youngsters often follow nature’s call and hike their leg the same way they’d mark an outside tree. Water in the tree base looks like a drinking dish. If that water has aspirin or other preservatives to keep trees fresh, it can make puppies/dogs sick. Young pups during teething want to gnaw everything, and they may swallow inedible objects without meaning to. Swallowed tinsel, tree needles, hooks from ornaments or other holiday décor can kill a pet.
Puppy/Dog Proof the Christmas Tree
First, make sure all breakables or dangerous items are not on lower branches, but situated out of pet paw-reach. Anything that fits in the puppy’s mouth is a potential hazard. Garlands, ornaments, strings or hooks, icicles and that fake spray-on snow can cause problems. Edible strings of popcorn may look festive but tempt pups to munch and eating the string can kill your pet.
Keep Puppies/Dogs Away
Next, keep puppies/dogs at bay and a safe distance from danger. To keep puppies/dogs away from illegal targets, make the area surrounding the tree unattractive. There are several options, and some work for certain pets and not for others.
Aluminum foil is a great deterrent for tiny pups and cats since they dislike walking on that odd-feeling surface. Silver foil also offers a festive holiday look.
The soft "tacky mats" available from home products stores designed to keep throw rugs from sliding around work well to keep pets at bay because they dislike walking on sticky surfaces.
Another option is Sticky Paws which is a double-sided tape product. Sticky Paws now is available in larger sheets as well as strips that you can apply directly to carpets beneath the tree, or to place mats situated on table tops or wherever needed.
You can also use the pet's sense of smell to keep her away from the tree. Vicks Vapor Rub (menthol smell) also works as a good pet repellent. Dip cotton balls in the ointment and stick in the lower branches of your tree. Bitter Apple or other nasty tasting substances help keep pups from chewing but don’t rely on this entirely. Some dogs actually like the flavor, and still chew through electric cords.
Create A Barrier
Smaller trees can be set on table or counter tops out of dog nose-reach.
Place your tree inside of a baby’s play pen.
Block off the "tree room" with a baby gate.
The holidays are a fun time to celebrate the joy of the season with your whole family, including your dogs and cats. Decorate with your pet in mind and you’ll keep the fur-kids in the family happy and safe.
*Partially taken from The Police Notebook*
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