By Doug Bardwell, American Red Cross volunteer

December 7, 2020- “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

This phrase has been attributed to many people, from Confucius to Eleanor Roosevelt; but neither of them ever manned a Northern Ohio Disaster Action Team and saw the consequences of a candle left burning unattended.

Pulling up to what used to be a beautiful home in Chardon and seeing a giant hole gaping through the roof, was testament to the destructive power of lighting one little candle. In addition, one person was temporarily hospitalized and the family’s pet was lost to the fire. Not the way they anticipated starting the holiday season.

The holiday glow is something everyone loves. Here are nine tips to safely enjoy the holidays:

1. If you want candles, make them the battery-operated kind.
2. If you use outdoor lights, make sure the cords aren’t frayed or broken.
3. When using decorations outside, make sure the cords are rated for outdoor use.
4. If you get an artificial tree, make sure it has a fire-resistant label attached.
5. If you get a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and keep it watered. If needles fall off, select another.
6. If the stockings are hung above the fireplace, don’t light it. Find somewhere else to hang them.
7. Check for safety labels on other decorations –- some are lead based and some artificial snow is toxic to breathe.
8. If you climb a ladder to decorate, make sure it’s placed on secure ground and don’t climb higher than recommended.
9. Check your home’s smoke alarms one more time before the holidays. Replace batteries if needed or replace the alarm if it’s more than 10 years old.

Okay, now you’re less likely to have a problem. How about sharing these tips with your parents or elder relatives? They are more likely to have old ornaments and lights that should have been replaced years ago. They’ll be grateful that you took an interest in their safety.

For even more safety preparation ideas, download and check out the free Red Cross Emergency app, for either iOS or Android, available from app stores. Then, light that one little battery-operated candle and have a happy holiday season!

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer