Tips help cut risk of accidents in home

Shortly before 1 a.m. last Christmas Eve an electrical fireignited a decorated Christmas tree in a suburban Dallas house,killing a 31-year-old woman and her four young daughters. Officialslater determined that the cause of the fire was a dangerous"hot-wired" extension cord, overloaded by Christmas lights and otherappliances.

Fires, which killed at least 48 people in seven states lastChristmas Eve alone, are only one of several common - and preventable- household hazards that occur during the holidays. The othersinclude falls from unsteady ladders used to string lights ordecorations, injuries from new toys and accidental poisonings ofyoung children who may think mistletoe and poinsettias are edible.

Experts say the application of a little common sense, combinedwith some planning, can help holiday-proof a home, making it saferfor elderly relatives arriving for Christmas or young childrenvisiting their grandparents for Hanukkah.

"People tend to think that when they leave home, that's when thereal risk of injury occurs," says Jeffrey Sacks, a physician andinjury expert with the Centers for Disease Control. "In fact, eachyear more than a third of all injuries and one-fifth of injury deathsoccur in the home."

Below are some tips from safety experts:

FIRE: To help prevent holiday fires, take special precautionsstringing lights. Don't overload circuits, check to make sure thelights have an Underwriters' Laboratories label and examine anddiscard cords that are damaged. Don't overload extension cords.

Choose a fresh tree, water it regularly and keep it away fromall exits and sources of heat, such as a fireplace. Turn offdecorative lights before going to bed or leaving the house. Makesure a lit candle is in a sturdy container, away from flammable itemsas well as windows and exits. Never leave candles unattended. Besure smoke detectors are working. FALLS: Check a ladder for sturdiness and proper height when placingdecorations on a treetop or roof.

Make sure extension cords don't obstruct walkways. Put toysaway to avoid tripping or falls.

If an elderly relative is your guest, be sure he or she knowsthe way around the house, particularly at night. Install nightlightsat strategic locations, such as in the bathroom. In the event of iceor snow, shovel paths and make sure they are properly lit.

POISONING: Keep mistletoe, holly berries and all holiday plantsaway from children. They could cause poisoning or severe stomachupset, according to the National Safety Council.