This article appeared in The Times of India on 24th Dec 2010 (Fri)
NJOY YOUR FESTIVE SEASON WITH CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FUN-FILLED NEW YEAR
-Ami Somaiya
Christmas is a universal happy time of the year. With the New Year around the corner, it is a time of joy, love and hope for a brighter future. With the exuberant holiday mood, so much to organise and prepare for, let's not forget to be safe in order to ensure a fun festive season.
Consider these tips for Christmas safety as you are decorating the tree, doing up the lights and saying cheers this year.
CHRISTMAS TREE
When you prepare a real tree for Christmas bunting, ensure there are no loose needles. Give it a good shake before you start hanging up your decorations.
Check the limbs of your real or artificial tree before you start hanging up the stuff. Ensure that it has just enough bend to not give way leaving you in a puddle of glass or plastic.
Place your Christmas tree in an area away from walk paths in the house.
Ensure little children or pets understand that they cannot touch the tree.
When you prepare a real tree for Christmas bunting, ensure there are no loose needles. Give it a good shake before you start hanging up your decorations.
Check the limbs of your real or artificial tree before you start hanging up the stuff. Ensure that it has just enough bend to not give way leaving you in a puddle of glass or plastic.
Place your Christmas tree in an area away from walk paths in the house.
Ensure little children or pets understand that they cannot touch the tree.
LIGHTS
Ensure that you have proper earthing, safe plug-points and correct power phases before setting up your lights.
If you are going to have several lights, it would be best to get an electrician to set them up for you.
Christmas lights can be used both indoors and outdoors, but they aren't to be used interchangeably. There are lights specifically made to use indoors and these should never be used outside.
Always turn off the lights on a tree before going to bed at night.
Ensure that you have proper earthing, safe plug-points and correct power phases before setting up your lights.
If you are going to have several lights, it would be best to get an electrician to set them up for you.
Christmas lights can be used both indoors and outdoors, but they aren't to be used interchangeably. There are lights specifically made to use indoors and these should never be used outside.
Always turn off the lights on a tree before going to bed at night.
FOOD AND DRINK
If you are going to be out partying and drinking, ensure you have someone to drive you home. This person should not have consumed alcohol at all - there is no such thing as, 'A small drink is okay.'
Even if you are drinking at home, drink responsibly. Children, however small, will later imitate what you do, so set the right examples.
Ensure that you are not over-drinking or over-eating. A terrible hang-over or an upset stomach takes the fun away from the festive mood.
If you are going to be out partying and drinking, ensure you have someone to drive you home. This person should not have consumed alcohol at all - there is no such thing as, 'A small drink is okay.'
Even if you are drinking at home, drink responsibly. Children, however small, will later imitate what you do, so set the right examples.
Ensure that you are not over-drinking or over-eating. A terrible hang-over or an upset stomach takes the fun away from the festive mood.
CANDLES
Candles are a traditional and beautiful part of the season. But, they are also dangerous if not handled with care. Always keep candles at a safe distance from other objects and surfaces, even walls.
Ensure kids and pets are always supervised around candles.
It is not advisable to use candles on or around your Christmas tree.
Freeze your candles before inserting them into candle-holders. This will eliminate extra wax drippings.
Always make sure you are using non-flammable candle-stands.
Candles are a traditional and beautiful part of the season. But, they are also dangerous if not handled with care. Always keep candles at a safe distance from other objects and surfaces, even walls.
Ensure kids and pets are always supervised around candles.
It is not advisable to use candles on or around your Christmas tree.
Freeze your candles before inserting them into candle-holders. This will eliminate extra wax drippings.
Always make sure you are using non-flammable candle-stands.
DECORATIONS
Avoid any decorations that tend to break easily such as glass or have sharp edges. Keep tree trimmings or decorations that are very small and can be swallowed out of the reach of your infant.
Avoid any decorations that tend to break easily such as glass or have sharp edges. Keep tree trimmings or decorations that are very small and can be swallowed out of the reach of your infant.
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