Contact: jodie.snyder@bannerhealth.com

PHOENIX (Dec. 7, 2018) -- With seasonal festivities in full swing, you can take a few simple precautions to make sure your holidays don’t turn hazardous, say Banner Health safety experts.

“During the holidays, we have a lot of fires unfortunately,’’ says Tracey Fejt (pronounced f-ate), trauma prevention coordinator for Banner Children’s.

There is a grim co-relation between Christmas trees and household fires: Between 2012 to 2016, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 170 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. On average, one of every 45 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 139 total reported home fires.

B-roll of Fejt giving holiday safe decorating tips

B-roll of Fejt discussing how to heat your home safely

There are other dangers to be careful of during the holidays, as well, Fejt says.

“There’s poisonings and everyone is rushing around so it is important even though you are rushing around to put the kids in their car seats because we do see motor-vehicle crashes unfortunately because more people are out during the holidays,’’ she says.

Fejt and her of safety experts gives these tips in decorating the house for the holidays.

Fejt and other Banner safety experts are also available for interviews. Please contact media@bannerhealth.com for more info

• Minimize fire danger by making sure you select a safe Christmas tree: When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness.

• Put the tree in a secure spot: When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters.

• Keep the tree hydrated: For fresh trees, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.

• Use the right kind of lighting: 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.

• Use the right kind of equipment: Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.

• Say goodnight, tree: 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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