Millions of people put up Christmas trees and other decorations each year as a way to celebrate the holiday season. But did you know that Christmas trees can also be hazardous? Learn more about the dangers and how you can mitigate their risks with these Christmas tree safety tips from the personal injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe.
Real and Artificial Trees Can Catch Fire
One of the cornerstones of Christmas tree safety is preventing your tree, whether real or artificial, from catching fire. Although Christmas tree fires are relatively uncommon, they can easily result in burn injuries when they happen. Here are some of the best ways to prevent them.
- Choose a fresh Christmas tree (needles should be green and shouldn’t shed easily).
- Check the water level of your tree every day to ensure it doesn’t dry out.
- When purchasing an artificial tree, check the packaging or tag to make sure that it’s flame-retardant.
- Keep your tree at least three feet away from heat sources, including fireplaces, candles, space heaters, radiators, heat vents, and lamps.
- Always turn off Christmas lights when leaving your home or going to bed.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 37% of Christmas tree fires start in January. You can prevent winter house fires by recycling your Christmas tree when it shows signs of drying out.
Christmas Lights Can Cause Electrocution
String lights are a staple of Christmas decorations, but when used improperly, they can result in a Christmas light electrocution injury. In fact, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 20% of holiday decoration injuries treated in emergency rooms are associated with Christmas tree lights. To avoid electric shock when lighting your tree, follow these easy Christmas tree safety tips.
- Ensure that the lights are suitable for indoor use.
- Only use Christmas lights that have passed inspection by an independent safety certification company such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
- Don’t use Christmas lights with punctured or frayed cables, and keep an eye out for broken bulbs and other signs of a defective product.
- Don’t overload outlets; instead, use an extension cord. Do not connect more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
- If you have a real Christmas tree, keep extension cords and wires away from the tree’s water source.
- Do not place cords beneath rugs, where they may overheat. Also, be careful not to pinch cords behind furniture, which can also cause them to fray and short.
Slip and Fall Accidents Are Common When Decorating
If you have a particularly tall Christmas tree, you’ll probably need the help of a ladder to decorate it, or at least to place the star or angel on top. It’s all too easy to slip and fall after a few too many eggnogs, so stay safe while decorating with these guidelines.
- Use a ladder or step stool instead of a chair. Chairs are usually not designed to be stood on and can topple over.
- Use a spotter to hand you ornaments or lights, and move your ladder or step stool frequently as you move around the tree to avoid overreaching and losing your footing.
- Be careful when handling glass ornaments and clean up any broken shards immediately.
- Keep Christmas light cords out of common walkways to avoid slip and fall accidents.
Kids and Pets Are More Susceptible to Christmas Tree Injuries
Small children and pets may be interested in the new fixture in your home. Unfortunately, Christmas trees present unique hazards to children and animals. Here’s what you need to know to prevent pet and child injuries during the holidays.
- Keep extension cords out of sight. Children may become entangled in them, and pets may chew on them.
- Make sure your tree is secure in its base. Pulling or pushing on the tree may cause it to tip over, so watch kids and pets carefully.
- Don’t allow your pets to drink Christmas tree water. Fertilizers and bacteria can upset your pet’s stomach.
- The best rule of thumb to protect children and pets? Never leave them unattended around your Christmas tree.
Happy Holidays from Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys
From everyone at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys, we wish you a happy holiday season. Please follow these Christmas tree safety tips to keep your family safe. If you or a loved one suffers from any kind of injury over the holidays due to another’s negligence, our team is here to help.
Our experienced lawyers are available around the clock by calling 844-977-1900. You can also speak with a representative using our LiveChat feature, or submit a free case review 24/7 from the comfort of your home.
In addition to offering free consultations, Lerner and Rowe works on a “no win, no fee” basis, which means that you do not pay a cent until money has been recovered on your behalf.
In addition to having a proven track record of winning billions for our clients, our team takes great pride in helping our clients carry the emotional burdens of their injuries. If you’re looking for high-level legal representation combined with stellar customer service, Lerner and Rowe is the way to go.