Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.


Starbulletin.com


Wednesday, December 6, 2000



Pointers can make
holiday season safer


Star-Bulletin staff

Christmas tree safety

Bullet Consider buying an artificial tree -- they're safer and cleaner.

Bullet A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground.

Bullet Cut one inch off the trunk to help absorb water.

Bullet Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate.

Bullet The tree stand should hold at least one gallon of water and be the proper size for the tree base.

Bullet A six foot tree will use one gallon of water every two days.

Bullet Mix a commercial preservative with the water.

Bullet Check the water level every day.

Bullet Secure the tree to prevent it from tipping.

Bullet Keep the tree away from flames or other heat sources.

Bullet Before plugging in electrical decorations, carefully inspect each one. Cracked sockets, frayed, loose or bare wires, and loose connections may cause a serious electric shock or start a fire.

Bullet Check the manufacturer's instructions on your electrical decorations to determine the maximum number of decorative lights (light strings) and decorations that may be connected. If the product packaging does not indicate the number of light strings that may be connected, practice this rule of thumb: do not connect more than three light string sets together.

Bullet Don't overload extension cords.

Bullet Turn off lights and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

Bullet Never use candles, even on artificial trees.

Bullet Dispose of the tree properly and consider recycling.

Home safety

Bullet This is a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Bullet Every home should have a smoke detector inside each sleeping area and on every level. On floors without bedrooms, detectors should be installed in or near living areas, such as family rooms, living rooms or dens.

Bullet Cooking vapors and steam sometimes set off a smoke detector. To correct this, move the detector away from the kitchen or bathroom.

Bullet Plan your escape routes. Know at least two ways out of each room. Go directly to a specified outside meeting place and then call the fire department.

Bullet After holiday parties, check around and under sofa and chair cushions for smoldering cigarettes. Provide lots of ash trays during the party.

Bullet Have an operable fire extinguisher readily available.

"Safety" gift ideas

Consider putting together a gift basket containing one or more of the following items:

Bullet Three smoke detectors and batteries.

Bullet A fire extinguisher.

Bullet A flashlight and batteries or light sticks.

Bullet A first-aid kit.

Bullet A mobile phone.


Source: Honolulu Fire Department Chief Attilio K. Leonardi.



E-mail to City Desk


Text Site Directory:
[News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Do It Electric!]
[Classified Ads] [Search] [Subscribe] [Info] [Letter to Editor]
[Feedback]



© 2000 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
https://archives.starbulletin.com