Have you any old grudges you would like to pay,
Any wrongs laid up from a bygone day?
Gather them now and lay them away
When Christmas comes.
Hard thoughts are heavy to carry, my friend,
And life is short from beginning to end;
Be kind to yourself, leave nothing to mend
When Christmas comes.–William Lytle (”When Christmas Comes”)

As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.–Eric Sevareid

“At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. … We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices.”–Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)

Christmas is not just a time for festivity and merry making. It is more than that. It is a time for the contemplation of eternal things. The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving.–J. C. Penney (”Christmas Thoughts”)

…God’s visit to earth took place in an animal shelter with no attendants present and nowhere to lay the newborn king but a feed trough. … For just an instant the sky grew luminous with angels, yet who saw the spectacle? Illiterate hirelings who watched the flocks of others, “nobodies” who failed to leave their names…–Philip Yancy (”The Glory of Humility” in Christmas Stories for the Heart)

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?–Bob Hope

I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year. And thus I drift along into the holidays–let them overtake me unexpectedly–waking up some fine morning and suddenly saying to myself: “Why this is Christmas Day!”–David Grayson

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”–Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)

There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.–Erma Bombeck

A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.–Garrison Keillor

Then Bob proposed: “A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!” Which all his family re-echoed. “God bless us every one!” said Tiny Tim, the last of all.–Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)

While most people have heard of avian flu or West Nile virus, histoplasmosis and Cryptococcus have maintained a low profile despite the fact they have been popping up in the news as well. This low level of awareness keeps people from taking measures to protect themselves.  We tend to brush off bird droppings as just a nuisance, but they are the main source of disease transmission between birds and humans.  While this might seem bizarre because most people do their best to avoid direct contact with fecal matter (and folks usually don’t climb up into their chimney or fireplace), we have to understand that as bird droppings dry, they turn to dust and can become airborne. People in the environment inhale the fungus and bacteria the droppings may contain.

As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CDC explain, “[Histoplasmosis] hurts your lungs. Sometimes, it hurts other organs too, and it can be fatal if untreated. Anyone close to places where the fungus is in the air can get this disease if you breathe in enough of it….”

A birdhouse or squirrel shack is a much nicer place for these little creatures than a chimney or other vents and will provide a safer way for homeowners to enjoy these creatures as they prepare their nests and raise their young.  A properly sized chimney and/or vent cap professionally installed is your best defense against animal and bird intrusion, and is a humane measure as well.

To help prevent fires:

• Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked.
• Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically. Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If it is not, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked. To remove a blockage in the exhaust path, it may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer. Remember to reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer again.
• Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up. Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis periodically to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.
• Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow.
• Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains. If possible, wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals on the clothes and, preferably, hang the clothes to dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle. To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket.

How often should I change the batteries in my smoke alarms?
Some smoke alarms will beep when batteries need to be changed, but don’t rely on this. We recommend routinely changing the batteries in all smoke detectors at least twice per year. It’s convenient to remember to do this in the spring and fall when you adjust your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

How many fire extinguishers should I have?
We recommend placing a fire extinguisher on every floor of the house. It is essential to have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and the garage. Remember to have your fire extinguishers regularly tested and replaced when necessary.

How often should my chimney be professionally inspected and cleaned?
The National Fire Protection Association states, “Chimneys shall be inspected at least once a year….” Click here to learn more about chimney inspection and chimney sweeping.

What can I do about a smoking fireplace?
Sometimes you need to call a professional, and sometimes you don’t. Click here for simple do-it-yourself solutions to common chimney problems.

Are halogen torchiere lamps safe?
Place halogen torchiere lamps in locations where they cannot be tipped over by children, pets, or a strong draft from an open window. Do not allow curtains or other combustible materials to come in contact with torchiere lamps at any time.

Can clothes dryers cause fires?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 14,000 clothes dryer-related fires occur each year. Since dust and lint buildup is the major problem, CPSC recommends that you clean the lint filter after each load and make sure the dryer is operating properly. Check for dust and lint buildup in the exhaust duct and around other major appliances, such as washers, water heaters and furnaces. Take all the clothes out of the dryer after the cycle is done.

Making a plan and holding regular fire drills will give each household member the confidence and knowledge to act quickly in an emergency. Here then are some tips on developing a family escape plan:

1. Sketch a layout of each floor, including windows, doors, and stairways. Go over the plan with family members and post it in your home as a reminder of all possible exits. Keep the phone number of the Fire Department handy by the phone.
2. Have family members practice different escape routes (at least two per room). Fire drills also teach children that they must escape, not hide from fire.
3. Place one family member in charge of helping the elderly or the very young to escape.
4. Agree on a meeting place outside the home and instruct everyone to go there in case of fire. Discuss why you shouldn’t go back inside once you’re out. (People have died returning to a burning building).

Nearly one-third of home fire victims lost their lives in fires that were smoking-related. If you have a smoker in your home, install a smoke and fire alarm in his or her room and have large, heavy ashtrays placed in various locations.

CO poisonings from fuel-burning appliances kill at least 200 people a year and send more than 5,000 people to hospital emergency rooms. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can often be confused with flu symptoms but become much more serious. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, irregular breathing, mental confusion, unconsciousness, and ultimately - death. The key to protecting yourself and your family is prevention and the use of a quality carbon monoxide detector.

Though everyone is susceptible, medical experts believe that small children, pregnant women, unborn babies, senior citizens, and people with heart or respiratory problems are more vulnerable. To avoid CO poisoning in your home, heed the following suggestions:

• Every time a fuel appliance is activated, CO is produced. Keep fresh air circulating in your home; open a vent or a window to eliminate toxic fumes. Fuel-combustion appliances should be vented directly outdoors.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide detector with an audible warning alarm. Choose Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed detector that sounds an audible warning. Look for the UL logo on the package.
• Install your CO detector at least 15 feet away from a furnace or gas appliance. Avoid installing detectors close to a fan, swamp cooler, or other fresh or turbulent air sources as this may deter the unit from taking accurate readings. If you only have one detector, it should be installed in the hallway near the sleeping area so it will awaken you if the alarm goes off while you are sleeping. Additional alarms on each level of your house can provide extra protection.
• Maintain CO detectors on a regularly basis. Keep it clean and free of grease, soot, and debris - clean it with a slightly damp cloth (no chemical cleansers) or vacuum it. It’s best to test your alarms regularly as well.
• Have your heating system checked each fall before cold weather arrives to make sure it’s operating efficiently and all the vents, pipes, flues, and chimneys are unclogged and tight. Have your stoves, fireplaces, and water heater checked as well.
• Don’t close your fireplace damper until you’re certain the fire is out. If smoke enters the room, your chimney may be causing a reverse flow. Open a window. Have all chimney cleaned, inspected and serviced annually.
• Never run your car engine in an enclosed area - open the garage door before starting the car.
• Replace smoke alarms every ten years - they accumulate significant levels of dust, dirt, and debris. Since a smoke alarm works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, its life span is about ten years.
• Make sure the burner flames on your furnace burn blue, not yellow-orange, and never use your gas or oven for heating.
• Never use grills or hibachis inside your home.
• Never operate gas-burning appliances in a closed room.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Every year people are injured and killed in fires at home than anywhere else, and cooking fires cause the most injuries by far. In fact, in 1995, 97,400 home cooking fires caused 279 civilian deaths, 4,735 civilian injuries, and $358 million in property damage. The NFPA suggests taking the following steps to prevent cooking fires in the home:

• Always keep an eye on food being heated. Unattended cooking causes the majority of fires in the kitchen. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.
• Keep children away from appliances when cooking. Enforce a “kid-free zone” around the stove and teach youngsters not to play in that area. If you allow older children to cook, supervise them closely and teach them safe cooking practices.
• Dress appropriately for cooking. Wear short or tight fitting sleeves when cooking and use caution when working near heat sources.
• Try not to reach over the stove. You can avoid this by not storing items you use directly over or behind the stovetop.
• Turn handles inward so pots and pans won’t be pulled or knocked off the stove. Take precautions and turn handles away from danger.
• Keep the stove-top clean and clear. Keep food and grease from building up by cleaning often and keep things that can catch fire, like pot holders or wooden utensils, away from heat.
• Carefully monitor hot oil, keeping the pan lid close at hand. Guard against splattering grease by lowering food into oil with utensils; don’t just drop it in. Know what to do in case a grease fire occurs.
• If you’re cooking with oil and it ignites , don’t throw water on the fire. Don’t try moving the pan either. Turn the burner off and smother the fire with a pan lid. If this doesn’t work, leave the house and call the fire department.
• If you have a fire in your microwave oven, close the door to the microwave and unplug it. Don’t use the microwave again until you’ve had it serviced.
• Do not put any metallic materials in the microwave oven, which may cause sparks and eventually damage the microwave.
• Keep an “ABC” dry chemical fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Use caution with electrical appliances. Plug one appliance into an outlet at a time. Have appliances with frayed or cracked cords repaired before use. Keep heat-producing appliances away from walls and curtains. Be extra careful when working around water. Never stand in or near water when using electrical appliances.
• Keep appliance cords as short as possible to avoid accidents such as tripping or knocking the appliance over.
• Keep appliances in proper working order. Avoid using them if they are defective.
• Always have hot pads and lids ready when cooking. You may need them if you experience a small pan fire.
• Keep emergency numbers by the telephone - police, fire, poison control, and doctor.
• Prevent boil-overs by not overfilling pots. Use recommended temperatures instead of increasing the heat to reduce cooking time.
• Use a burner that’s the appropriate size for the pan you’re using.

• Use outlet plug covers to prevent children from inserting objects into outlets.
• Never run an electrical cord under a rug or carpet, or drape it over a hot surface such as a radiator or space heater.
• Make sure that all portable lamps and fixtures are equipped with light bulbs of equal or lesser wattage than that recommended by the lamp or fixture manufacturer.
• Unplug all extension cords when not in use and never use an extension cord that is cut or damaged.
• Keep all portable and countertop appliances unplugged when not in use.
• Never use or attempt to repair a damaged appliance; always consult a qualified technician.
• Keep space heaters, radios, and other electrical products away from bathtubs and sinks.
• Keep medications, cleaning products, and other poisons away from children and pets.
• Make sure that you have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets installed in the bathroom as well as in the kitchen, laundry room and workshop.