ChildSafetyBlog.org would like to share with you two recent recalls of products that may be fire hazards and offer you a few tips for a fire-free holiday season. 

Here are two items people may have purchased recently to "light up" their holidays which could turn the happy holidays into unexpected disasters:

ForeverGlo™ Cylinder Nightlights--AmerTac of Saddle River, New Jersey, has just voluntarily recalled 272,000 ForeverGlo™ cylinder (model no. 71107) nightlights. Manufactured in China, the nightlights were imported and have been sold for about $5 at hardware stores and lighting fixture showrooms from May 2009 through September 2010. They are a fire hazard! If you have one of these nightlights presently in use, remove it from the wall socket and contact the company for a full refund on (800) 420-7511 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Silver Metallic Pillar Candles manufactured by General Wax and Candle Company of North Hollywood, California.  General Wax and Candle Company, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has recalled approximately 12,000 of these candles which have been sold exclusively at Bed, Bath and Beyond stores throughout the United States during the months of October and November 2010 for from $8 to $10. The candles display the UPC code 86718 56082 or 86718 56092 on the bottom of the candle.  If you have purchased one of these candles, do not use it, as it is a fire hazard, but contact General Wax and Candle Company for a full refund at (800) 543-0642 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.generalwaxbbbrefund.com

Holiday Decorations and Trees - When purchasing live trees and holiday greenery, parents need to be sure to check for freshness.  CPSC.gov advises "A fresh tree is green, its needles are hard to pull from branches, and its needles do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles."  If the tree is too dry, it can be a fire hazard. If you place a  live tree in your home, make sure to keep it hydrated (by adding water daily to the well in the stand) and when Christmas is over, please safely dispose of your Christmas tree before it becomes too dry!

Holiday trees and decorations in the home need to be placed away from fireplaces, vents and other heat sources such as radiators.  Instead of hanging gift stockings from the mantle--fill them with goodies, and place them under the tree!

Be sure to use only Christmas tree lights that have been tested for safety.  Look for the safety test (UL) tag on the cord!  Check each set of lights to be used on your tree for broken or cracked sockets and burned out bulbs that need to be replaced.  Check cords for frayed or broken wires or plugs.  Discard light sets that are damaged in any way.  If you use extension cords, make sure they are safety tested as well and in good shape. When using lights for outdoor decoration, make sure they are certified for outdoor use!

If you burn candles this holiday season, make sure to extinguish them before leaving the house or going to bed. Make sure they are not within reach of small children or pets! Make sure all candles are placed on stable, heat-resistant surfaces and are away from items that could catch fire easily, such as evergreens, trees, decorations, and curtains.

ChildSafetyBlog wishes you the merriest and safest of holiday seasons!