The holidays are a time for celebrating and enjoying the company of friends and family. While you are busy in your holiday preparations this year, the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department wants to share some important safety tips so that you don't get too distracted and lose sight of potential hazards.

Christmas Trees
Decorative Lights
Decorations & Candles
Smoke Alarms
Toy Safety

Christmas Trees

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas trees were the items first ignited in an estimated average of 210 reported U.S. home structure fires per year from 2002-2005. These fires caused an average of 24 deaths, 27 injuries, and $13.3 million in direct property damage per year. These statistics include both real and artificial trees. Avoid becoming a statistic by following these rules of thumb:

• Choose a fresh-cut tree and make sure it is labeled "Fire Resistant."
• Place the tree away from heat sources, such as portable heaters and vents, and out of the way of traffic. Do not block doorways.
• Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Be sure to keep the stand filled with water.
• Dispose of your tree properly. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

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Decorative Lights

Decorative lights, which often adorn Christmas trees and other parts of the home, can malfunction and lead to fires. The NFPA reported that almost half (48 percent) of the home Christmas tree fires were caused by some type of electrical failure.

• Check all tree lights, even if you've just purchased them, before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
• Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
• Do not overload electrical outlets. Read the directions to determine how many lights you can connect safely. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires; they should not be warm to the touch.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

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Decorations & Candles

December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 13 percent of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4 percent the rest of the year.

• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.

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Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries, and have contributed to an almost 50 percent decrease in fire deaths since the late 1970s.

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home.
• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
• Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer's instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturer's instructions for testing and maintenance.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm "chirps," warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
• Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly.

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Toy Safety

With thousands of toys to choose from in just one store, it can be daunting to try and select the one that would be just right for a child. However, it is extremely important to pay attention to the recommended ages on the label because toys meant for older children can be dangerous for younger children. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that last year, an estimated 140,700 children were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms after toy-related incidents. Thirteen children died.

To prevent additional injuries and deaths, the U.S. Congress passed a law in August 2008 that strengthens product safety standards and enforcement capabilities. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires that toys and infant products are tested before they are sold and bans toxic chemicals like lead and phthalates in toys. The bill also creates the first comprehensive, publicly accessible consumer complaint database; gives the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) the resources and authority it needs to protect the public; increases civil penalties that CPSC can assess against violators of product safety laws; and protects whistleblowers who report product safety defects.

When you're out shopping for toys this season, follow these important guidelines:

• Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.
• Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully.
• To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don't give young children (under age 10) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
• Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.
• Children under age eight can choke or suffocate on deflated balloons. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children.
• Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.

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To learn about these and other consumer issues, visit the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department website at www.miamidade.gov/csd or call the Consumer Mediation Center at 305-375-3677.

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