Be ready for the New Year holidays!

New Year and Christmas holidays are always a special and magical time, not only for children but also for adults. However, even during festive celebrations, one should not forget about safety.

Pyrotechnics

First and foremost, forget about "under-the-counter" pyrotechnic products – buy them only in specialized stores. Do not agree to more advantageous offers – eyes and hands in case of an emergency will cost more. Ask the seller for a safety certificate. Pay attention to the expiration date (as a rule, pyrotechnics are stored for no more than three years) and the instructions (mandatory in Belarusian or Russian), which must be studied. Examine the packaging and the product itself: there should be no defects, the fuse should be sealed or hidden under the wrapper.

The storage area must be dry and free from any sources of fire. It is also forbidden to keep pyrotechnics near heating radiators. For example, a balcony or a kitchen as a storage space is completely unsuitable: the product will either get damp (it should not be dried) and in the best case will not work, and in the worst case, it will detonate with a delay at the most inopportune moment. Or, conversely, gradually heating up, it will detonate spontaneously.

The most responsible moment is pyrotechnics in action. Do not rely on your past knowledge – before launching, be sure to read the instructions again: each product has its own peculiarities, be attentive.

For home use, at most, sparklers are acceptable; other pyrotechnics belong outdoors. It is also not advisable to set off fireworks from a balcony. Launching requires an open area, free from buildings, trees, and flammable materials. Important conditions include calm weather and a distance of 30 meters or more from power lines. Spectators should move back to the distance specified in the instructions. The fuse should be ignited at arm's length. At the same time, do not aim the fireworks towards people. If the pyrotechnics do not work, do not try to ignite them again, and do not lean over them to find out what happened.

New Year Tree

The Christmas tree should stand on a stable base and be securely fastened so that it cannot be knocked over by small children or a cat that suddenly decides to play with the decorations. The tree should be placed away from heating radiators and electrical appliances. Consider the distance to the baby's crib as well – at night, the voluminous silhouette of the tree may frighten the baby. The most suitable place is a corner away from the walkway. There, the tree will not be in anyone's way.

With such a safety measure, you can be sure that even if the Christmas tree is bumped during children's play, it will not fall and injure anyone. Do not place candle holders with candles near the Christmas tree. Any careless movement can lead to a fire.

Do not make "snow" out of cotton wool or any other flammable substances: a stray sparkler can set the whole structure ablaze. When decorating a Christmas tree, do not use candles: open flames can become an unpleasant "highlight" of the holiday. Refrain from using homemade ornaments made of highly flammable materials.

The garland should be of high quality, certified, safe, and its insulation should be dense, flexible, and without external damage, with the bulbs enclosed. The mode switch box should not bend easily. The garland's operation should be checked in advance before hanging it, paying special attention to problem areas: the connection of the wire to the plug, the wires to the mode switch, and the wires to the bulbs.

When decorating the tree, try not to hang the garlands close to the floor, as they can be caught by children or pets. A Christmas tree with New Year's toys and decorations can tip over and cause an electric shock. Another important rule is not to leave the garlands on overnight or when no one is home. Regarding illumination, the decoration should be carried out by specialists with appropriate qualifications. Do not create light effects using chemical or other substances, sparklers, and party poppers – they can cause the Christmas tree to catch fire.