In an effort to keep you and your loved one safe, the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation would like to remind you of the following guidelines to insure that you have a safe and joyous season.

When purchasing a Christmas tree:

· Check the needles to insure freshness, if the needles fall easily from the tree, it is dry and it should not be purchased.

· Always keep a fresh tree watered daily.

· If purchasing an artificial tree be certain that you only purchase trees which are fire retardant, but remember fire retardant does not mean fire proof.

When decorating the house:

· Make certain to use lights that are certified by an Underwriters Laboratory.

· Always unplug any electrical decorations before leaving your house or retiring for the night.

· Do not overload outlets or extension cords.

· Never run extension cords under carpet, rugs or mats.

· Do not let children play with candles, electrical decorations or matches.

While cooking the holiday feast:

· Keep children out of the kitchen (scald burns are a major cause of death to children under the age of two).

· Wear tight-fitting sleeves to prevent them from dangling into a flame or hot burner.

· Never add water to a dish containing hot oil.

· Keep paper towels, pot holders, etc. away from stove top.

· If you have a stove fire, calmly turn the burner off and cover the pan with a lid.

Also remember to check your smoke detectors to make sure that they are functioning correctly. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season from the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. For more detailed holiday safety information, contact the Burn Foundation office at 1-800-273-2876 or visit the web site www.gfbf.org.

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