Visions of Sugar Plums and Holiday Safety!
Ho, Ho, Ho, Holiday greetings to you!
Every year at this time I can't help but notice the beautiful holiday lighting and adornment. It's great to see that even homes with a "For Sale" sign on the front lawn have been bedazzled with lights! But this good deed seldom goes without also decking the halls with many holiday hazards.
You may be feeling happy for the holidays, but you'll be roasting more than chestnuts if you lose respect for the dangers inherent in the season! It is sad to say, but more homes burn during December than any other month. And electricity is not the only hazard contributing to the risk.
Candles! Gosh they look so good and the scent can set the perfect holiday mood. But always remember this about candles - they are on fire! Seasonal candles on windowsills near your beautiful curtains and shears is a perfect blend for combustion. Please be sure candles are always attended when lighted, shielded by a glass enclosure, and located so the cat doesn't knock them over. And put out all candles before snuggling in for the night!
And what about space heaters! These little gems can put just the right amount of heat right where you need it. But, they can also burn the house down. Space heaters need to be in a clear space! That might even be why they call them "space" heaters, cause if they are too close to bedding, curtains, or clothing there is a fair chance of fire. Many a home has burned even with the heater in clear space. Please be careful about flinging a towel, shirt, or sheet as you climb under the covers. Any article landing on the heater is certain to burn.
While we are thinking about space heaters, be especially cautious about the misuse of kerosene-fired space heaters. These babies can really put out the heat! But please, read the directions and follow them like your life depended on it. Of special concern is ventilation. If your space heater's directions require outside air for ventilation, crack a window or what ever it takes to be compliant. The risk of death from carbon monoxide poisoning is far greater than fire. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless ensuring a sound sleep for all eternity.
Gotta love stockings hung by the fire - but gotta also be sure they are removed before the fire is a blazing! Maybe back in the day when wool stockings hung by the fire, it was not so risky, but these days those fuzzy fake flannel stockings burn better than fat lighter. So choose your effect - either stockings hung by the fireplace, or a fire in the fireplace, but certainly not both at the same time!
For some strange reason, otherwise sane and contentious homeowners decide to do their most creative electrical lighting, decorating, and wiring this time of year. Some of the more festive observations have been:
- Twelve indoor extension cords lying in a garden fountain
- Eleven lighted candles each behind a curtain
- Ten cracked cords in a single outlet
- Nine rocking reindeer sparking on a rooftop
- Eight unattended potpourri pots a bubbling and a boiling
- Seven realtors cell phones charging near a wet counter
- Six spliced wires wrapped with duct tape
- Five frosty snowmen hanging by frayed wires
- Four flood lights on a single broken fixture
- Three space heaters blowing on a Christmas tree
- Two light bulbs covered with red plastic bags
- One extension cord draped over a chimney while the fire's a blazing
Okay, I confess! I took some liberties in putting this list together. But keep in mind that electrical hazards know no season! Our friends at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSO) estimate that about 4,000 injuries associated with electric extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year. They also estimate that each year, about 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 others. The most frequent causes of such fires are short circuits, overloading, damage, and/or misuse of extension cords.
The real point is, be it in our own homes, homes we visit, or homes we list, keep an eye out for the hazards that need to be addressed. Lives depend on it. Plus, if one of your property listings burn to the ground, it makes for some very difficult disclosures!
Be safe and enjoy the holidays!
Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro Inspections, and has been featured regularly on HGTV's "House Detective". Wally has recently written a book entitled "Secrets of the Happy Home Inspector", available at GoHomePro.com or Amazon.com. As a speaker, writer, instructor, and host of The Happy Home Inspector radio show every Saturday at 3 PM on WOKV 690, Wally blends the right amount of up-to-date information with just the right amount of humor, insight, motivation, and real-world application. Visit WallyConway.com for more information!
 Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:08:18 GMT Fannie, Freddie Capital Concerns Prompt Paulson Plan (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Dawn Kopecki and Alison Vekshin Sept. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson decided to take control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after a review found the beleaguered mortgage-finance companies used accounting methods that inflated their ... Video: Obama Calls for Changes in Mortgage Giants RPT-US Treasury sets news conference;GSE plan expected Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:59:54 GMT Reuters Entertainment Summary - Washington Post Washington Post - VENICE (Reuters) - Eleven days of red carpet galas, 21 films in competition and countless interviews, photo calls and parties at the Venice film festival boiled down to just one man in the end -- Mickey Rourke. Aronofsky Gracefully Wrestles Golden Lion Out Of Venice Buyers mixed on Toronto films Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:41:41 GMT Federer is set for his fifth consecutive US Open final (Keystone) - Swissinfo
Swissinfo - Switzerland's Roger Federer has won his semifinal at Flushing Meadows against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in four sets, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Video: Federer Beats Djokovic to Reach US Open Final Federer Reaches Final Before Rain Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:38:36 GMT Health Buzz: Immunosuppressive Drug Warning and Other Health News - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - The Food and Drug Administration has asked the manufacturers of Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel, and Remicade—which belong to a class of medications known as tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers (TNF-alpha blockers)—to strengthen the warning for risk of fungal ... FDA urges more caution over TNF blocker infections Arthritis Drugs Linked to Risks From Infection Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:23:08 GMT Suicide blast kills 35 in Pakistan; Zardari set to take power - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP, The New York Times PESHAWAR, Pakistan: The death toll in a devastating suicide blast has reached 35, officials said Sunday, as Pakistan prepared for Benazir Bhutto's widower to take over as president. Pakistan's Zardari urged to change image and focus Pakistan's Zardari prepares for presidency Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:14:31 GMT Michigan spared sting of West Nile - Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press - BY SHERI McWHIRTER • RECORD-EAGLE • September 7, 2008 TRAVERSE CITY -- West Nile virus hasn't seriously bitten Michigan this year and seems to have spared the state's northern reaches. Yes, the mosquitoes were nasty this summer Aerial survey being conducted to find mosquito breeding grounds Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:53:44 GMT Malkovich gets mad in Coens' 'Burn After Reading' - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - TORONTO (AP) - The Coen brothers' new movie gave John Malkovich a chance to blow off some steam. Malkovich's seething character in "Burn After Reading" bursts out in perpetual tantrums, a nice exercise in anger management, according to the actor. Toronto Film Festival vs. Brangelina – Who Gets the Spotlight? Pitt Rocks to Madonna Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:31:53 GMT Work From Home |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... No matter what celebration you and your family will rejoice... Read More Easter marks the start of spring and is a sacred... Read More Mistletoe. Holiday parties. New Years kiss at midnight. This time... Read More New Years Resolutions: Making them is a tradition -keeping of... Read More Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for... Read More As we enter into the month of November my thoughts... Read More Did you know that you can make your own Halloween... Read More Halloween ? so starts the Holiday Season. The average American... Read More With all the travel, gift buying, last minute cramming at... Read More Christmas is a magical time of year, both for kids... Read More Here are 7 classic kid birthday party game ideas that... Read More If you*re like me, the holidays always have a way... Read More Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Family, friends, good food ?... Read More Birthdays are one thing you can count on. We all... Read More Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally... Read More What does your holiday season usually look like -- a... Read More No matter how well we may have weathered our basic... Read More This time of the year is supposed to be happy.... Read More A Creative Dream Come TrueA hush falls over the room... Read More Every year we search our brains for a unique, exciting... Read More Thirteen years ago I became quite intrigued with the idea... Read More Well, it's almost that time of year again ? the... Read More The thought of Valentine's Day conjures up romantic evenings, a... Read More "Wouldn't you just know it," muttered my husband, Randy.We had... Read More "I Just Love It!"You know the scenario. You're sitting at... Read More
Adsense
websites
Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking will Bring the Family Together During The Holidays
Easter Party Ideas
Single During the Holidays
A Resolution Worth Keeping
Mother?s Day Crafts
Cornucopia Centerpiece for Thanksgiving Day
2 Inexpensive Halloween Costume Ideas
Holiday Tips & Treats That Wont Play Tricks On Your Waistline
Magical Holiday Emergency Kit
Christmas Gift Guide
Kid Birthday Party Game Ideas - 7 Proven Winners
Survival Kit for the Holidays: Grace, Gratitude and Random Acts Of Kindness
10 Steps to a Relaxing Thanksgiving
Birthday Flowers
Glorious Holiday Decorating (Without Breaking the Bank or Losing Your Sanity)
Ten Ways To Make The Holidays Easier Next Year
Strategies for Surviving Holiday Dinners, Family Events and Other War Zones
Home For The Holidays: Happy Times, Right
Creative Kid Birthday Cake Ideas
Perfect Presents for Mom
Losing Weight During The Holiday Season--Can It Be Done?
Unique Gift Ideas -- The Gift Of Fitness
5 Ways to Having the Happiest Valentines Day Ever (even if youre alone)
The Thanksgiving Blessing
I Just Love It!
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Magical Plants of Christmas
Most of the plants we associate with the holiday season... Read More
Make it an Unforgettable Birthday!
The first known birthday celebrations began among the Egyptians with... Read More
Christmas Gifts For Dog Lovers
Let's admit it, the US and UK are both countries... Read More
No Paws from Santa Claus
The Holidays are coming and children have thought long and... Read More
50 Ways to Acknowledge Your Employees Before and After Labor Day
For most people, Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer,... Read More
Celebrate the 4th and Help a Soldier
My good friend, Rae, just called and suggested having a... Read More
St Valentines Day, Festival of the Matchmakers
There are as many as eight possible Valentines Day origins... Read More
New Year?s Resolution ? Why Not Resolve To Take Back Your Life?
It's time once again for the dreaded New Year's Resolutions.... Read More
Dont Want Another Carpet Sweeper This Year For Christmas?
Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More
Saving Money on a Holiday
Going on a family vacation can be considerably more expensive... Read More
Texas Exotic Hunting
Texas Exotic Hunting is a popular sport in this state.... Read More
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweek Pod Poinsettia Ornaments
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed... Read More
Christmas Matters
Every year I vow to make Christmas easier, simpler -... Read More
Dress To Impress! Find Your Sexy Halloween Costume And Shake What Your Mamma Gave You
Everyone loves to look and feel good, right? Well, why... Read More
Aran... Where the Sweaters Come From
Aran Sweaters. The Aran sweater takes its name from the... Read More
Seven Valentine?s Day Tips for Spouses in ?Less-Than-Perfect? Marriages
Valentine's Day can be a depressing day when you're in... Read More
Make a Golden Christmas Tree
Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I... Read More
Gift Giving During Thanksgiving Adds That Special Touch
Many of us believe Christmas is one of the most... Read More
Trick or Treating Safety
Halloween is such a fun time of year for kids... Read More
How to Overcome the Overwhelm of the Holiday Season (And Reduce Holiday Stress)
The Holiday Season can be a wonderful time of year,... Read More
Thanksgiving Memories
Turkey ... Stuffing ... Cranberry Sauce ... Pumpkin PieThis is... Read More
Christmas Holidays: 5 Ways To Make This Holiday Your Best Ever
For many people the end of a year is a... Read More
Find New And Exciting Halloween Masks For Your Next Costume Party!
For most people that don't enjoy wearing messy makeup, Halloween... Read More
Getting Great Pictures of the Kids this Halloween
There she was in all her glory. Long white lab... Read More
How to Create an Irresistible Valentine?s Day Centerpiece
Valentine's Day is just around the corner which of course... Read More
Holiday |