I hope everyone will have a safe and happy holiday season!

General Safety Topics

• Always turn off outdoor, indoor, and tree Christmas lights before you go to bed or before leaving your home.
• Keep space heaters away from the tree, presents, curtains, bedding materials, etc., or try not to use them. Remember to turn them off when not in use and before leaving your home.
• Purchase smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors for your home. Read package labeling for proper placement and proper number of units for your home.
  
  
• Chimney Safety Institute of America
  During this holiday time when many people are using their fireplaces, this site provides informative topics include avoiding carbon monoxide hazards, avoiding chimney-related dangers, chimney fires, an FAQ on chimneys, how to select firewood, proper venting of gas-fueled appliances, how to find a certified chimney sweep, chimney liners, and much more...
• American Red Cross: Home Fire Safety makes good sense year-round
• American Red Cross: Fire Safety Tips
Provides information to prepare for such an emergency, including how to make your home fire safe, planning escape routes and escaping safely, more...
• USFA: A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety: A Factsheet on Holiday Fire Prevention
• Outdoor Holiday Decorating Safety, from Underwriters Laboratory
• CPSC Warns: Avoid Hazards Related to Holiday Decorating

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Christmas Tree Safety

• Christmas Tree Safety Tips from the National Safety Council
• Christmas Tree Safety Tips
• Christmas Tree Fires: Facts/Figures, Safety Tips

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Food Safety

• Seasonal Food Safety Fact Sheets, from USDA
• A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey, from USDA

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Pets and the Holidays

• The holidays are not a good time to add a new pet to the family. Instead, consider adding a "virtual pet" to the family first. You can adopt a virtual dog or cat for your computer. These are adorable pets which you can play with, feed, and actually train! They grow each day you play with them.
  
  
• No Christmas Puppies, Please!
  by Ruth Ginzberg
• Surviving the Holidays with Your Dog
• Wintertime Woes
  Holiday dangers and treats to watch out for
• Choosing a Kennel or Sitter
  
• Cold Weather Complications
  
• Holiday Foods Can Upset Your Pet
• Holiday Treats Are Not Always a Treat For Your Pet
• Stuff the Turkey, Not Your Pet
• Holiday Season Pet Hazards
• Holiday Hazards Threaten Pets' Holiday Cheer
• Chocolate is Dangerous for Pets
• The Holiday Aftermath, from PetRescue.com