CPSC Warns: Avoid Hazards Related to Holiday Decorating

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Holiday decorations, likecandles and Christmas trees, add to the festive mood of the season; but whendecorations are not used properly, they can result in fires, injuries anddeath. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging familiesto keep safety in mind when stringing holiday lights, purchasing Christmastrees, and lighting candles this holiday season.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO )CPSC estimates there are more than 14,000 candle-related fires each year,which result in about 170 deaths and $350 million in property loss. Dried-outChristmas trees are involved in about 200 fires annually, resulting in 10deaths, and about $10 million in property damage. During November andDecember of each year, about 10,000 people are treated in hospital emergencyrooms as a result of falls, cuts, shocks and burns related to holidaydecorating."Consumers can keep holiday decorating traditions from becoming tragedies byfollowing a few simple safety tips," said Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord."Keep the holidays festive by creating a fire-safe home."To help prevent holiday-related incidents, CPSC is monitoring the marketplaceand Internet for dangerous holiday lights and decorations. CPSC also continuesto work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify and prevent unsafeholiday decorations from being distributed in the U.S.Use the following safety tips when decorating this year: Trees and Decorations:

-- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant."-- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant."Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicatethe tree is more resistant to burning.

-- When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green,-- When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green,needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between yourfingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped onthe ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

-- When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and-- When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces andradiators. Because heated rooms dry out live trees rapidly, be sure to keepthe stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and donot block doorways.

-- Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.-- Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leadedmaterials are hazardous if ingested by children.

-- In homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp or breakable-- In homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp or breakabledecorations, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach ofchildren who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings thatresemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

-- To avoid eye and skin irritation, wear gloves when decorating with spun-- To avoid eye and skin irritation, wear gloves when decorating with spunglass "angel hair."

-- To avoid lung irritation, follow container directions carefully while-- To avoid lung irritation, follow container directions carefully whiledecorating with artificial snow sprays.Lights:

-- Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a-- Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by anationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA. Use onlynewer lights that have thicker wiring and are required to have safety fuses toprevent the wires from overheating.

-- Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed-- Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayedor bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets.

-- If using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the intended use.-- If using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the intended use.

-- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged-- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become chargedwith electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could beelectrocuted.

-- When using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been-- When using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have beencertified for outdoor use and only plug them into a ground-fault circuitinterrupter (GFCI) protected receptacles or a portable GFCI.

-- Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The-- Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. Thelights could short out and start a fire.Candles:

-- Keep burning candles within sight.-- Keep burning candles within sight.

-- Keep lighted candles away from items that can catch fire and burn easily,-- Keep lighted candles away from items that can catch fire and burn easily,such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.

-- Always use non-flammable holders and keep away from children and pets.-- Always use non-flammable holders and keep away from children and pets.

-- Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room or leave the-- Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room or leave thehouse.Fireplaces:

-- Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on-- Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown onwood fires. They contain heavy metals that, if eaten, can cause intensegastrointestinal irritation and vomiting. Keep them away from children.

-- Do not burn wrapping paper or plastic items in the fireplace. These-- Do not burn wrapping paper or plastic items in the fireplace. Thesematerials can ignite suddenly and burn intensely, resulting in a flash fire.

-- Place a screen around your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby-- Place a screen around your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearbyflammable materials.Get a free brochure with holiday decorating and toy safety tips at CPSC's website www.cpsc.gov. CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionCPSC Media Contact, +1-301-504-7908