Day 70: Christmas safety tips

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 70: Christmas safety tips

It’s the season to be jolly, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful. By paying attention and as such preventing hazards with Christmas trees and decorations, you might save yourself a rush visit to the hospital or veterinary clinic during the celebrations.

Candles

Candles are perfect to create atmosphere and a sweet aroma, but they are also huge fire hazards. To avoid accidents keep lighted candles away from the Christmas tree or decorative tree branches.  Place candles in a spacious area, on a flat hard surface in non-flammable candle holders.

Open Fire

Before making use of the fireplace, check the flue.  Checking the flue should be done annually to prevent chimney fires. Before lighting a fire be sure that all flammable materials such as wrapping paper, cardboard boxes, tinsel and chemicals are well away from the fireplace. To keep children and pets safe it is recommended to make use of a fireplace screen.  

Tree

Place the Christmas tree out of harm’s way. Preferably in a corner where it can’t be knocked down by children 

or pets. Be sure that the tree has a sturdy base so that it doesn’t fall over. If you have a real tree, keep it watered. Prep your tree by cutting or drilling a hole into the trunk, this will make for easy water absorption. Do not place your tree near a fireplace.

Christmas lights

Christmas lights should be checked before placing in the tree. The wire should not be frayed and no wires should be exposed. Sockets should be in perfect condition. If you see any damage, throw the lights out. Indoor lights should never be used outdoors and neither should outdoor lights be used indoors. Use a sturdy stepladder or chair to place the lights in the tree.

Tree Decorations  

If you have small children or pets, give preference to plastic decorations over glass ones. Accidents happen and it’s easy to miss a fragment of glass from a broken Christmas ball on the floor or carpet.  Should a child running barefoot or a pet step into such a fragment this will require a trip to the doctor or vet.
Give preference to pearls or a satin ribbon over tinsel to decorate the tree. In your absence, a pet may get curious about the shiny object, chew on it and choke.

Accidents happen all the time and bitter tears are shed afterward while people exclaim ‘If only I’d know’.  Don’t become one of them.  Think about what can happen and act responsibly.

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Putting up the Christmas tree

Last night was that time of the year again …time to put up the Christmas tree.

First order of business, retrieving the tree from the storage room.  Of course the box was buried all the way in the back, under a ton of other stuff.  While trying to get to the boxed tree, we found – among other things – a box.  "Oh here are the Halloween decorations."

Another complication, while trying to get the tree out of the room, was juggling a few cats who wanted to get into the room.  “Move Mickey!”
"No Gabriel, you can’t go in there!”
“Out of the way Charlotte!”  Their ears were apparently on their backsides, but eventually they joined Charlie and Chanel who were keeping an eye on things from a distance.

When the tree was assembled phase one could start … opening all the tree branches.  Don’t ask me how long it took, but it was a prickly, dusty affair accompanied by several sneezes.  Next year, before putting the tree away, I’ll put him on the balcony for a while so the wind can blow him out.

Now for the lights.  The plug was plugged in and … oh oh, while the top section and the bottom section lit up with white LAD lights, the middle section did not.  Fortunately there were some spare lights. 
“You’re gonna have to go through them, one by one, and see where the faulty one is,” I said to Dieter.  He responded with “Say what?”
Fifteen minutes later the middle section of the tree lit up.  I’ll spare you the coversation Dieter had with the lights.

Next up, a red ribbon.  We can’t use tinsel or angel hair for the tree on account of the cats.  They grab it and chew it.  So, to prevent an emergency visit to the vet’s office we had to come up with an alternative.  Last year we used pearls, but that wasn’t quite the success I thought it was going to be.  So, this year we would try a ribbon.  It was rather nice until Charlotte came along, carefully reached out with a white paw and made a “little” adjustment.  “Charlotte, don’t do that.  Just look, don’t touch!”

Finally, the decorations.  The theme … red and gold.  Small balls on top, bigger balls in the middle, even bigger balls on the bottom.  A ball here, a star there, some tear drops, some birds … yep, that looked nice.  “Charlotte, don’t touch!  I said just look.”  “Gabriel!  Where’re you’re going with that ball?  Drop it.  Drop it!  Don’t do that!”

Now for the angel on top.  Where is the angel?  Must be in one of the boxes with other decorations.  Oh I’ll look for the angel tomorrow.