It’s October and Halloween is going to be here before we know it. I have always loved Halloween because I just love an excuse to dress up. Underwriter’s Laboratory is offering up some steps on how to be safe on Halloween.

How to Create a Safe and Spooktacular Halloween

For families across the country, Halloween is the official launch of the holiday and decorating season, which is why it is important for parents to recognize the potential safety hazards that may be associated with many of the season’s celebratory activities.

1. Inspect decorations for loose connections, frayed or bare wires and broken or cracked sockets when using lights to decorate the home for Halloween. When hanging lights, use plastic hooks or clips to reduce the risk of electric shock and fire hazards. Never nail or staple light strings.

2. Keep candles away from items that easily catch fire, such as decorations, window treatments and paper. Halloween is the fifth highest day for reported candle fires. Candles are the cause of approximately 15,000 reported house fires every year.

3. Look for flame resistant labels when purchasing costumes, fabric and accessories. Although this label does not mean these items won’t catch fire, it does indicate the fabric will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source.

Then after Halloween it always feels like November and December just fly by with Holidays and things to do. Growing up, I had a huge family. I have two moms and two dads and each of them have four/five siblings so visiting everyone was always a huge ordeal, but still fun. So I know that you will all be very busy this Holiday Season and I wanted to share UL’s tips on staying safe for the rest of the year!

Serve Up a Side of Safety This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the No. One day for home fires, which isn’t surprising  since Americans will roast, bake, brine, grill and even deep fry more than 45 million turkeys on November 26. This Thanksgiving, UL is offering these simple cooking safety tips to help keep cooks safe in the kitchen, regardless of their level of expertise!

1. Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking: Most fires in the kitchen occur because food is left unattended. If you must leave the kitchen briefly, carry an oven mitt with you as a reminder that something is cooking.

2. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and know how to use it: Make sure the fire extinguisher is rated for grease fires and electrical fires and read the directions carefully. The acronym P.A.S.S. can help make sure you use it properly.

· Pull the pin; Aim the spray nozzle low at the base of the fire; Squeeze the nozzle to spray the contents; Sweep back and forth as you spray the base of the fire.

3. Do not pour water on a grease fire: Pouring water on a grease fire can cause the fire to spread.

Last but not least is “The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year”, Christmas. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas and all of the festivities around that!

Wrap Up the Year Safely This Holiday Season

Between finding the perfect gift for loved ones, trimming the tree and sprucing up the house with festive decorations, safety can easily be overlooked during the holiday season. That’s why UL is reminding families to take a few minutes to think about the most precious gift of all when celebrating the holidays – safety.

4. A fresh tree is key:  If the needles are not fresh, it can lead to a greater risk of fire. Remember to ask your tree lot attendant to make a fresh cut to the base of the tree and place it in water as soon as you get home. Place tree in a tree stand that holds at least one gallon of water and check moisture level frequently.

5. Indoor or outdoor? Look for the UL Mark:  Indoor-use only light strings are marked with UL’s green holographic label. Indoor or outdoor-use light strings are marked with UL’s red holographic label.

6. Read manufacturer instructions: When stringing lights together, the general rule is to not connect more than three midget light string sets together. Light strings with screw-in bulbs should never have more than 50 bulbs connected together.

7. Examine packaging: Parents should thoroughly examine new gifts, especially if they have young children at home. Pay particular attention to products in boxes or packages that do not offer the following:

· A brand name

· Manufacturer’s name with contact information for reporting problems with the product

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UL picnic basket loaded with UL goodies

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Leave a comment telling me which of the tips is most useful to you!

This is not a sponsored giveaway and it ends October 25th.