Food

Smart, Safe Entertaining Ideas

Posted: 1/7/2012

©iStockphoto.com/sjlocke
When decorating for the holidays, avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many lights, cords or appliances.

(NAPSI)—When the party’s at your place, you can be sure to feel secure that safety is in attendance if you follow these tips from the experts at the Electrical Safety Foundation International:

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and make sure your home is protected by an adequate number of alarms. Both types of alarms should be installed on every level of the house and outside each sleeping area. You should also put smoke alarms inside each bedroom.
  
  
• Share your family fire escape plan with any overnight guests.
  
  
• Make sure halls, stairs and doorways are properly illuminated and free of clutter that could hinder an escape during a fire emergency. Use night-lights in hallways and bathrooms.
  
  
• Inspect all decorations, cords and outlets for damage before use.
  
  
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets, which can overheat and start a fire.
  
  
• Don’t run electrical cords across doorways or in high-traffic areas, where they pose a tripping hazard.
  
  
• Keep decorations, gifts and other combustibles at least three feet from heat sources or open flame.
  
  
• Never leave an open flame unattended, including the fireplace.
  
  
• Stay in the kitchen when something is cooking. Unattended cooking is a major cause of home fires.
  
  
• Use space heaters properly and safely. Keep them out of high-traffic and exit areas, and at least three feet from anything that can burn.
  
  
• Turn off and unplug all decorations before leaving home or turning in for the night.

Keep young visitors safe by preparing your home before they arrive:

• If your home is not already “childproof,” install tamper-resistant receptacles or use safety covers on all unused electrical outlets, including on extension cords.
  
  
• Store breakables, candles, matches and other potentially dangerous items in inaccessible or locked areas.
  
  
• Don’t forget to put away small items, like buttons, coins and jewelry, which are choking hazards.
  
  
• Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairways to keep babies and toddlers safe.
  
  
• Make sure children are supervised at all times in the kitchen and anywhere space heaters, candles or fireplaces are being used.