Deck the Halls… Avoid Any Falls

The holiday season is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate. It’s a time of cheer and festivities, and there is no better way of creating that atmosphere than by putting up your holiday decorations.

Along with all the joy of the season, holidays almost always seem to bring their own unexpected mishaps and accidents. Often these occur when people try to do things alone or when tradition pushes us beyond our limits.

Decorate just one room or area….

As the holidays near, remember to concentrate on decorating one area at a time. Don’t feel that you have to do it all at once, or you will add lots of unnecessary stress. Your objective during the holidays is to be joyous, not crazy! By following these simple steps and taking due caution, you’ll be well on your way to having a magical and meaningful holiday season you soon won’t forget.

If you find it harder each year to decorate a Christmas tree, consider buying the fiber-optic type; the lights are already there and there is no need for ornaments. Keep some of your beautiful ball ornaments and place them in large clear vases as table decorations, crowned with small greenery.

Here are a few other tips that may help you avoid any misfortunes.

Tradition is important, but change is good, too.

• Most of us love doing "what we always have done" because it is a tradition. Yet, people can also adjust to change. Take a moment to assess what YOU want and can do this year.
• If you’ve always had a real tree, are you still up for all the care and feeding of a live tree?
• Consider an artificial tree this year if you are not feeling well or just aren’t interested in a real tree this year.
• No tree? That’s okay, too. Many common houseplants look great with a small strand of lights, ornaments or just simply decorated with red ribbon bows.

When decorating with holiday lights, safety is key.

• Be sure to check all strings for any frayed wires and discard any that are in ill-repair.
• Check to see lights are in working order before you use them. And, make sure you use the lights (indoor or outdoor) accordingly.
• Limit the number of extension cords used and be sure they are out of the path of traffic.
• Avoid areas where small children or pets may have easy access to the wires, as they pose an additional threat of strangulation or electrocution.
• If your lights are old, consider purchasing some new lights. New lights often burn “cooler” and reduce the risk of fire hazards.
• Most importantly – don’t risk a fall by decorating alone. Ask someone to help you. Even if you have a hard time asking for help, remember most people feel best when they can help others… so, ask!

Indoor decorations offer their own set of mishaps.

• As we often get used to a layout that we are in day to day, remember that any disturbance or addition to this familiarity can lead to a fall or bump.
• Avoid putting any decorations in common walk areas and try to avoid rearrangement of furniture to accommodate decorations unless necessary.

Deocrating outdoors... choosing the best locations.

• When decorating outdoors, don’t block pathways and don’t block views associated with driveways.
• Make sure any decoration outside is secured to avoid it becoming a "flying" hazard if there is wind. And never rely on electrical cords for this purpose.
• Consider appropriate materials for ornaments and decorations. If you have a choice of glass or soft fabric ornaments, go with the fabric. This will prevent breakage and any potential cuts due to clean up.

Remember, decorating with plants includes its own set of hazards.

• Some plants, like mistletoe, holly and pryacantha, are poisonous and you should never have them in a house where children are present. Pets can also fall prey to poisonous plants.
• Small ornaments or even the hooks used to hang them on plants can pose a choking threat to children and pets. Keep well out of reach of children.

If you are decorating with a live tree, remember to:

• Place it away from heat sources such as fireplaces or heaters.
• Keep it watered!
• Never place light-up decorations, such as lighted holiday villages or figurines, by the tree as they cause an additional threat of fire.
• Be wary of pets or small children playing with ornaments, as the tree can fall over.
• And as soon as the holidays are over, discard of the tree properly; do not leave the tree by the house as this is also a fire hazard.

Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!