TIPS TO HAVING A SAFE HOLIDAY

The Christmas decorating season is upon us and it's time to start dragging all those decorations down from the attic or other hidden storage places. While it's always fun to see what new look can be created, safety should be the number one concern.

Aromatic candles fill the house with a multitude of fragrances and their soft glow lends a romantic touch to the holidays. But, one candle and less than 30 seconds is all it takes to get a Christmas tree blazing. Before the invention of electricity, candles were as much a necessity as a decorating item. Some were even used on trees. However, the tradition of putting the tree up Christmas Eve and taking it down Christmas night has given way to days, if not weeks, of having that gloriously lit decoration adorning the house.

Max Jauch, assistant fire chief for the city of Cape Girardeau, urges people to pay close attention to all the decorations in the house, not just those on the tree. Lights around a mantle combined with paper or other flammable decorations can be an accident waiting to happen."Always check the lights carefully," he recommends. Sets with loose sockets and frayed wires should be discarded. Also refrain from plugging too many sets together. Although it may be more pleasing to the eye to see lights running all around a house end-to-end, the use of more than three sets together could cause trouble."We don't see as many fires from overloaded circuits as we used to," Jauch said. Most homes have circuit breakers instead of fuses, and the breaker will trip if the circuit is overloaded.

Also high on the recommended list are the smaller lights. They not only burn cooler, they also use less electricity.

For many families, a Christmas tradition is selecting just the right tree. The lack of rain in this area has had an effect on the availability of local trees.

Joannie Smith, owner of the River Ridge Christmas Tree Farm and Yule Log Cabin south of Scott City, isn't going to allow any of the farm's trees to be cut this year. "The trees are just too dry and brittle," she said. Instead she has purchased trees from the Appalachians to sell. "They're just beautiful," she said. The hurricanes this season dumped lots of rain in the area and the trees benefited.

Even with a tree in good condition, there are certain precautions which must be taken. Always make a fresh cut at the base of the tree when you take it home. "A cut begins to seal within 30 minutes," said Smith.

There are numerous products on the market which claim to prolong the life of a cut tree. Smith recommends just using water, and lots of it. The first few hours are crucial. Be sure the base is completely submerged in water and don't let the basin get dry. A daily misting and keeping the humidity high will also help said Al Franke of Franke's Nursery at Jackson. He also recommends not keeping a cut tree more than a week to 10 days and to use the smaller lights.

An option that has become more popular in recent years is not a cut tree, but instead, a living one. The roots of these trees are wrapped in burlap and the tree can be replanted and enjoyed for generations to come. Care must be taken not to "shock" a living tree or it will not survive when replanted. Keeping it in the garage for a few days will allow it to adjust to warmer temperatures. These trees should spend a maximum of one week in the house and then be returned to the garage before planting. Care should be taken when decorating the tree so that it is not damaged.

Artificial trees are easier to maintain, but care must be taken just the same. Excessive heat from lights can melt the branches, and in some cases, ignite a fire. Most mothers save all those "wonderful" paper decorations the kids have create through the years. These treasures may bring back fond memories, but be sure they are placed well away from the heat of the lights.

Although fire is the number one concern at this time of year, there are other hazards too. Small children and pets find all the glitz and glitter about the house fascinating. Icicles provide a particular hazard because they cannot be ingested.

Choking can also occur if small decorations are within the grasp of little hands. Take care in decorating with live plants and greenery with berries. Some may prove toxic if swallowed.

And don't forget the task of putting up all those decorations. Arms only stretch so far and ladders aren't meant to be balanced on uneven ground. Be sure you have sure footing before attempting to attach lights to gutters and other high places around the house. If decorating the roof is in your plans, don't do it when you're home alone. A helping hand to steady a ladder or plug in the lights so they can be checked can be a big help. Even the most fit person gets tired after three or four trips up and down the ladder.

And finally, be sure to remember Newton's law of gravity. What goes up, must come down -- including the decorations.