Holiday Safety With Your Decorations

As I drive around the Cape on Thanksgiving week, it’s fun to see the lights and other holiday decorations appearing. I especially enjoy the lights since the sun goes down just after 4 PM. It’s also enjoyable to be in the Custom Department at Hyannis Country Garden as we help people with wreaths, swags, fresh arrangements and other holiday decorations.

Yesterday in our class about creating a Thanksgiving Centerpiece, the handout included a reminder about candle safety, which prompted this list of reminders.

Never leave a candle unattended.

Fires often start because people forget that there is a candle burning on their table or mantle. If you’re leaving a room, blow all candles out even if you think you’ll only be gone for a few minutes. We all get busy and distracted during the holidays, and if we’re away from that candle for longer than expected, it may start a fire.

When did you last purchase new lights?

Christmas lights can go bad over time due to factors like weather exposure, improper storage, physical damage, or moisture. This can lead to frayed or broken wires and other issues. Consider replacing your old lights with LED strings, especially when they are used on cut trees indoors. LED lights are cooler and are far less likely to start fires.

Keep cut trees well hydrated.

Use a tree stand with a good size water reservoir. Consider one of the long-spout funnels we have that make it much easier to add water to your stand once the tree is decorated.

Use Prolong in your tree or arrangement water and Wilt-Pruf on cut greens.

Adding Prolong to the reservoir for your tree, and to the water used to hydrate arrangements made in Oasis can help keep all of your cut greens fresh, especially when they are in a heated home. Wilt-Pruf coats cut greens with an invisible film that seals moisture in the greens, indoors and out.

Know what your pets are likely to do…and keep some plants away from them.

Is your cat likely to climb in the Christmas tree? Might your dog run into the tree if it’s racing to the front door? Are any of your pets curious about indoor plants, or are they likely to chew on things when you’re out of the house? Consider securing a tree to a nearby wall or ceiling to prevent it from falling and scattering broken glass ornaments around the floor. Keep pets (and children) away from holly berries, mistletoe, Anthuriums, and amaryllis, which are toxic if ingested. Note that most bulbs, including paperwhites and amaryllis are toxic to dogs and cats if they gnaw on them, so keep those well out of reach, especially if they aren’t yet planted. (A bare bulb that’s not in a pot can seem similar to a ball or other pet toy.)

Although poinsettias are not poisonous, the sap that they exude when bruised or broken can be irritating, so place these out of reach from kids and pets as well.

Christmas cactus, moth orchids, rosemary and frosty fern aren’t toxic for cats and dogs.

Keep fresh greens and cut trees away from heat sources.

If you have fires in your fireplace, perhaps the mantle isn’t the best place to decorate with cut greens… consider using artificial greens or garlands instead. Alternatively, consider using some of the new, digital pillar candles in an arrangement in your fireplace instead of actual flames. These are made to flicker and look very much like burning candles.

We’re hear to help Cape Cod residents have a beautiful, relaxing, and safe holiday. Come in and let us know what your needs are.