A festive decoration or a threat to life?

The New Year holidays are approaching, and we all naturally want them to be bright and memorable. Not so long ago, sparklers and party poppers with colourful confetti were their adornment.

The New Year holidays are approaching, and we all naturally want them to be bright and memorable. Not so long ago, sparklers and party poppers with colourful confetti were their adornment. They have been replaced by more effective, colourful, and spectacular firecrackers, fireworks, and flares. However, when using pyrotechnic products to enhance their celebrations, many do not even suspect the danger they may expose their lives to.

Every year, due to careless handling of pyrotechnic products, fires occur, and numerous burns of varying severity, as well as injuries to eyes and hands, are sustained by both adults and children. It is most regrettable to find oneself in a hospital bed on New Year's Eve, when everyone else is resting and celebrating.

To avoid tragic consequences, it is necessary to know:

ØWhen purchasing pyrotechnic products: pay attention to the expiry dates, the instructions for use must be in Russian/Belarusian, and demand a certificate of conformity for the pyrotechnic product from the seller;

ØPurchase pyrotechnic products only in their original factory packaging;

ØStore pyrotechnic products away from heating devices in a place inaccessible to children

ØDo not carry pyrotechnic products in pockets, under clothing, store them without packaging, or throw them;

ØDo not use pyrotechnic products with obvious defects: crumpled, damp, with cracks or other damage to the casing or fuse, and do not dismantle or modify finished pyrotechnic products;

ØDo not lean over pyrotechnic products during their use, and do not attempt to re-ignite them if they fail to ignite or the fuse burns out;

ØBefore using a pyrotechnic product, BE SURE TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!

The Ministry of Emergency Situations WARNS: be careful and prudent when using pyrotechnic products. Remember that your personal safety is in your own hands.

New Year Tree

The Christmas tree should

to stand on a solid base and be securely fastened so that it cannot be knocked over by either small children or a cat that has suddenly decided to play with the decorations. The Christmas tree should be placed away from heating radiators and electrical appliances. It is worth considering the distance to the baby's cot – at night, the voluminous silhouette of the tree may frighten the child. The most suitable place is a corner away from the passageway. There, the tree will not be in anyone's way.

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

Do not make "snow" from cotton wool or any other flammable substances: a misfired sparkler can set the whole structure ablaze. When decorating a Christmas tree, do not use candles: an open flame 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, safe, and its insulation must 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, the wires to the bulbs.

When decorating the tree, try not to hang 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. Also, one of the important rules is not to leave garlands switched on at night or when no one is at home. Regarding illumination, the installation should be carried out by specialists with the appropriate qualifications. Do not create light effects using chemicals and other substances, sparklers, and party poppers – they can cause the Christmas tree to catch fire.