Parke Cochran

What's Happening December 2023:

• 🎅 Christmas is comin'! We are looking forward to the cooler weather and holiday season as much as you are! Our offices hours will be the same, but we will close the 25th and 26th so that we can be with our families! 🎁

• Santa isn't the only one who gets the 🦌 runnin'! We see a LOT of claims this time of year. As the weather changes, the deer are everywhere! Keep your head on a swivel and STAY SAFE out there!

• Cold temps mean warn nights by the 🔥. Here are some great tips to keep the fires in the fireplace:

  Happy Holidays!

  Prevent Christmas tree fire hazards

  • Check that your live tree is fresh — nobody likes a burning Christmas tree! The needles should be hard to pull from the branches and don't break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of the trunk should be sticky with resin. If you tap the tree on the ground, few needles should fall off.

  • Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, space heaters, candles, vents and radiators.

  • Be sure to check the water level daily and make sure the stand is filled with water. Heated rooms will quickly dry out the tree.

  • Practice Christmas tree safety by placing the tree out of traffic and make sure it's not blocking doorways.

  • If you buy an artificial tree, be sure to look for the "Fire Resistant" label. The label doesn't guarantee the tree won't catch on fire, but it does indicate the tree is more resistant to catching on fire.

  • If you used a real tree, be sure to place it far from your home or other combustible objects when you're finished with it. This is because as it ages and is removed from watering, it will dry out and become more flammable.

  • Different areas have different rules for recycling trees. Check with your local authority's website and/or your garbage collector to see your pickup options. In some cases, this can include recycling real trees for mulch.

  How to avoid candle fires

  • Only burn candles where you can keep an eye on them.

  • When you go to bed, leave the room or leave the house, extinguish all candles.

  • Ensure candles are placed on heat resistant, stable surfaces and where kids and pets can't reach them or knock them over.

  • Candles should always be placed far away from items that could catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, decorations, curtains and furniture.

  How do you avoid electrical fires?

  • Practice Christmas light safety by buying your lights from reputable retailers. Check that your lights are approved by a nationally recognized testing lab such as UL, Intertek or CSA. UL identifies products meeting safety requirement for indoor and outdoor use with a red holographic label. For indoor only usage, the product will have a green holographic label.

  • Be sure to check all lights and throw out any with sockets that are broken or cracked and wires that are frayed, bare or with loose connections.

  • Never use electric lights on metallic trees.

  • Make sure to use extension cords for their intended use — indoors, outdoors or both.

  • Be sure to plug outdoor Christmas lights into circuits that are protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs).

  • Fasten outdoor lights securely to the house, trees or other supports to keep them from pulling away with the wind. But don't damage the cord with fasteners. Take care not to puncture roofing shingles when fastening lights to the home.

  • Watch for water and snow and keep both extension cords and lights clear of them.

  • Make sure cords and light strands are not pinched in doors, windows or under furniture. This can damage the cord and its insulation.

  • When you leave home or go to bed, be sure to turn off all indoor and outdoor Christmas lights and electrical decorations.

  • Be very careful around power lines — keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet away from them.

  • Don't overload electrical outlets with too many decorations or other electrical devices — they could overheat and cause a fire.

About Me: University of Mississippi, B.A., M.A.; President YMCA of the Shoals; Past President Florence Rotary Club; City Ambassador City of Florence; Leadership Alabama - Class of 2006; Board of Directors Shoals Scholar Dollars; Shoals Chamber of Commerce; Legion of Honor; Ambassador Travel Qualifier