The holidays are a special time to spend with friends and family and enjoy a break from the routine. Holidays can also be a busy time, full of distractions and extra stress. To make sure your holidays are memorable for all the right reasons, I thought I'd share some important holiday safety tips in this month's column.
One simple source of danger is holiday decorations. Decorating homes and businesses is a wonderful way to celebrate, but those lights and gadgets increase the possibility of fire.
Inspect your strings of lights before putting them up and make sure there are no frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in insulation and broken or cracked sockets. Excessive bends and kinks in the wire can also result in hot spots, so be careful when you hang them. Only use lighting approved by a testing laboratory. And don't overload electrical outlets. Three light strands is the maximum on a strand, unless directions indicate it is safe to add more. Make sure to periodically check the wires to make sure they're not getting warm. That's a danger sign.
If you're decorating a live tree, be sure to get one that has fresh, green needles. Avoid trees with brown and brittle patches. If you're using a metal tree, don't string any lights. That's dangerous.
Decorate only with fire-retardant ornaments, and turn the lights away from any paper gift or display. Be sure to turn off the lights at night or when you go out.
When decorating windows, keep lights clear of drapes and anything made of paper, like shades or display signs.
If you operate a retail business, observe safety rules. Make sure there's a minimum clearance of 18 inches between boxes and sprinkler heads, and keep aisles and exits clear of clutter. It's a good idea to mark passageways from display areas to exits with paint or other markings, to help define areas that must be kept clear of stored items.
With the holiday season comes cooler temperatures. Please be careful when using your fireplace. Keep your chimney clean and your flue open when your fireplace is in use. If you burn logs, use a fire grate and keep the logs in the back of the fireplace. Don't let them roll out into your living area. And if you hang decorations or stockings on your fireplace, be sure they don't dangle over the opening where a spark can set them on fire.
Your City of Carlsbad Fire Department would also like to caution you about a popular item used for preparing a Thanksgiving turkey?a deep fryer.
Every year misuse of turkey fryers results in countless fires and burn injuries, and if you plan to use one, please observe these safety precautions:


• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed. Excess water will cause oil to spill out, causing a fire or explosion.
• Do not overfill the fryer, as an overflow of hot oil can ignite a fire or scald someone standing nearby.
• Always use turkey fryers outdoors and at a safe distance from structures and combustibles.
• Make sure the fryer is on a level surface.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer when it's in use, and never leave it unattended.
• Have a dry-chemical, multi-purpose extinguisher handy in case a fire breaks out. Water will just spread the flames.
• Follow all safety instructions provided with the deep fryer.
Your Carlsbad Fire Department wants you to have a happy holiday, so be safe. Our mission is your safety. The City of Carlsbad Fire Department can be reached at 760-931-2141.