Christmas Tree Safety

12 November 2008

Dear Owners/Residents:

We cannot overstress the importance of Safety Measures during the observance of the yuletide season. Christmas trees with blinking lights and hanging lanterns are beautiful to look at but can be dangerous and deadly if electrical connections are not properly installed and care and safety is not considered when decorating the home for Christmas.

CHOOSING SAFE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Safety begins with choosing the right electrical Christmas decorations. Carefully inspect lighting sets. Make sure the wirings are not frayed or exposed. Read the labels carefully. Some decorations are made of flammable materials and should be kept away from sources of heat. Labels also indicate how many lighting sets you can interconnect to each other. Do not go over the limit.

CHRISTMAS VIGILANCE

• Don’t leave lighted candles unattended.

• Don’t overload outlets – This is a common occurrence during Christmas. Avoid “octopus” connections. If possible, have a separate plug for the Christmas Tree and Christmas Ornaments. If a circuit breaker trips, it means your electrical connections are overload. Don’t just reset without looking for the source of the problem or replace it with any material that conducts electricity. Call for an electrician to evaluate your electrical load.

• Do not run extension cords under carpets or across doorways where people can walk over them and break the wiring and possibly cause a fire. Keep children away from electrical connections. If possible have covers on the electrical outlets within their reach.

JOSEPH N. BACTOL
General Manager