-
Deck the Halls with Safety: Avoid house fires from holiday decorations
Six crucial tips to keep you, your family, and your home safe. December 13, 2021 11:11 AM Posted: December 13, 2021 11:11 AM Updated: December 13, 2021 11:15 AM KENNEWICK, Wash. — December, January, and February are the most dangerous months for home fires as they occur more in winter than any other season, according to a Facebook post from the Walla Walla Fire Department. The U.S. Fire Administration said that cooking is the leading cause all year round, but during the winter season holiday decorations are also to blame. Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by decorative lights, according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In…
-
National Fire Protection Association urges added caution to avoid fire tragedy during holiday season
Many hallmarks of the holiday season, including Christmas trees, holiday decorations, cooking and baking, present potential fire hazards that contribute to an annual increase in U.S. home fires during the winter months. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are among the leading days of the year for home fires (topped only by Thanksgiving Day). “December is a leading month for home fires, in large part because many of the activities we engage in during the holiday season reflect leading causes of home fires year-round,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. Fortunately, Carli notes, the majority of winter fires can…
-
Holiday symbols rooted in nature | Home And Garden
In the rush to cross everyone off our holiday gift lists and to select the most suitable decorations to create the perfect ambience within our homes, we may overlook the importance of the plants that make this time of year so cheerful. Let us look at three such winter-themed plants to see how they each contribute to the long-standing custom of using live greenery indoors. Christmas Tree Germany is credited with decorating trees as far back as the 16th century and later, bringing the tradition to Pennsylvania when they immigrated. It wasn’t until the early 20th century, however, that this custom of bringing living trees inside and adorning them with…
-
State Fire Marshal issues tips for fire safety during holiday season
The National Fire Protection Association reports that more than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source. More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. The NFPA also reports that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 780 home structure fires per year that began with decorations between 2013-2017. More than half of home decoration fires in December are started by candles. Candle fires peak in December followed closely by January. The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve. Before you head to bed or…
-
HOME & GARDEN: DIY terrariums make great holiday gifts | Home & Garden
Terrariums take up little space and require minimal care. Add decorative figurines, as desired, like a miniature mushroom and maybe an elf. Clean any figures, toys, glass, pebbles, or ceramic structures with an alcohol or 10{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} bleach solution and allow them to dry. Illinois Extension A century-old trend of bringing nature inside during the winter, terrarium gardening has had a revival gardeners as of late…
-
Show off your holiday spirit with decoration contest | Community
Do you get into the holiday spirit and go all out decorating your house? If so, and you live in the city of Long Lake, why not try to win a prize for your holiday spirit? The city of Long Lake is having a Long Lake Christmas Home Decorating Contest for residents. The event was last held in 2018. The Long Lake Garden Club and City of Long Lake are sponsoring the event and the deadline for submitting entries is Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. To enter (City of Long Lake residents only), and for contest rules, go to the city’s website at longlakemn.gov and click on the links…