"Be Ready" for the New Year holidays

New Year and Christmas holidays are always a special and magical mood not only for children but also for adults. But even during festive fun, one should not forget about safety. By the way, it is for this reason that the Ministry of Emergency Situations employees are conducting the “Safe New Year!” campaign throughout the country, which will take place from December 11 to 29. So that the long-awaited celebration does not turn into a tragedy, you need to know and remember simple recommendations from rescuers.

Pyrotechnics

First of all, forget about pyrotechnic products from under the counter – buy them only in specialized stores. Do not agree to more favorable 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 room must be dry and without any sources of fire. It is also forbidden to keep pyrotechnics near heating radiators. For example, a balcony or a kitchen as a storage place 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 fire with a delay at the most inopportune moment. Or vice versa, gradually heating up, it will detonate spontaneously.

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

For home use, sparklers are the maximum; all other pyrotechnics belong outdoors. Do not set off fireworks from a balcony. A launch requires an open area free of buildings, trees, and flammable materials. Important conditions include windless weather and a distance of 30 meters or more from power lines. Spectators should stand at the distance specified in the instructions. Light the fuse at arm's length, and do not point fireworks at people. If pyrotechnics fail to ignite, do not try to relight them or lean over them to see what happened.

New Year Tree

The Christmas tree should stand on a stable base and be securely fastened so that neither small children nor a cat suddenly deciding to play with the decorations can knock it over. The tree should be placed away from heating radiators and electrical appliances. Consider the distance to a baby crib as well – the tree's voluminous silhouette might frighten a baby at night. The best location is a corner away from the main traffic path, where the tree will not be in anyone's way.

With these safety measures, you can be sure that even if the 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 could lead to a fire.

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

The garland must be of high quality, certified, and safe, with dense, flexible insulation free of external damage, and the bulbs should be enclosed. The mode switch box should not bend easily. Test the garland's functionality 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 a Christmas tree, try not to hang garlands close to the floor, as children or pets may trip over them. 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 garlands on overnight or when no one is home. Regarding illumination, the decoration should be carried out by qualified specialists. Do not create light effects using chemicals or other substances, sparklers, and party poppers – they can cause the Christmas tree to catch fire.