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Santa may be able to come down chimneys into lit fires and not get burned, but the rest of us aren’t so mystically capable.

And yes, that’s a lead-in for an annual safety tip editorial, but please take a few moments to run down the list (compiled from several safety-minded organizations). Even a small mistake can turn this happy season into a tragedy.

On the electricity front: Inspect electric decorations and cords for damage. Don’t overload outlets, no matter how humorous the scenes from “A Christmas Story” may seem. Limit the number of connected light strings to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Don’t run cords where they get pinched by furniture or go under rugs or rest against heat sources. Turn off decorations when you aren’t home or are heading to settle your brains for a long winter’s nap.

If you use a live tree, water it every day. And don’t pretend it lasts forever. When the tree gets dry, it’s time to take it outside.

Keep combustibles at least three feet from a flame source (fireplaces, candles, stove tops, etc.). According to the National Fire Protection Association, decorations too close to a heat source were a factor in half of home fires that begin with decorations. Be extra careful with candles, and consider using battery-powered ones for effect.

Use the right ladder when you decide your feet need to get off the ground (to string lights and decorations). Keep decorations from tangling when you are on a ladder. And consider having someone around when you go up there, to hold the ladder, untangle decorations and otherwise just be available while you are at risk. “This Old House” says more than half a million people are injured annually falling off ladders.

Make sure your tree, real or artificial, is securely set up and unlikely to topple. Use a stand rated for the size of the tree, make sure it’s secure and set on an even surface. And think like a kid. Will a tug here or a bump there send it merely shaking a bit or crashing down?

There are, of course, risks outside the house, especially when travelling. The most obvious one around here is weather, thanks to the temperature swings that can mean rain one minute and a sheet of ice the next. Keep your car in top shape and winterized. Stock it with an emergency preparedness kit (appropriate tools, jumper cables, flashlight, first aid kit and the ever adaptable duct tape).

Give yourself extra time to get anywhere. The closer to Christmas, the more time you should plan into any trips. Buckle up the seat belt, put away the phone, drive defensively. Oh, and don’t drink and drive, period.

Sure it can seem like a long list of downers in a season that’s supposed to be upbeat and cheery. But the truth is, most of the safety tips you’ll see and hear this month are just common sense. They are actually precautions you should be practicing on a daily basis, without much though. It’s just more important now because of the extra effort we put into making the holidays great.

— Times Leader

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