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: here )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: