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Topic: GO FIGURE

The Holiday Version

December 3, 2009

<h4><strong>12,800 </strong></h4>
What does this number represent?

<strong>Answer: </strong>The estimated number of Americans treated in hospital emergency rooms each year as a result of injuries sustained in incidents involving holiday decorating. Here are some other holiday figures:
<h4><strong>300 </strong></h4>
The number of fires caused by Christmas trees each year, resulting in:
<ul>
 <li>10 deaths</li>
 <li>40 injuries</li>
 <li>$7 million property damage and loss</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>15,000 </strong></h4>
The number of fires that are caused by candles each year, resulting in:
<ul>
 <li>140 deaths</li>
 <li>$307 million in property damage and loss.</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>10 </strong></h4>
The number of safety tips offered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to avoid fires caused by candles and holiday decorations:
<ul>
 <li>Buy artificial trees with a "fire resistant" label.</li>
 <li>Check live trees for freshness. Signs: Trees are green, it's hard to pull needles from branches and needles don't break when you bend them.</li>
 <li>Keep trees well-watered and away from fireplaces and radiators.</li>
 <li>Outside and inside, use UL- or ETL/ITSNA-approved holiday lights.</li>
 <li>Check all lights for socket or cord damage, whether the set is old or new.</li>
 <li>Don't use electric lights on a metallic tree. Faulty lights can charge the tree and then electrocute someone who touches it.</li>
 <li>Outside, use only lights that have been certified for outdoor use and plug them in GFCI receptacles.</li>
 <li>Remember that lights can short out and start a fire. Turn them off when you leave the house or go to bed.</li>
 <li>Don't burn wrapping paper in the fireplace. It can ignite suddenly and lead to a flash fire.</li>
 <li>Use a fireplace screen to keep sparks from igniting nearly items.</li>
</ul>

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