Preparations for the holiday season are about to begin,

Preparations for the holiday season are about to begin, and in more than 50 million American homes Christmas trees will be lighted as part of the holiday observance. A Christmas tree, properly cared for, can be a joy. A Christmas tree that is allowed to dry out becomes a fire hazard. To assist you in enjoying a Merry Christmas and a firesafe one, the American Insurance Association presents these suggestions about the purchase and care of your Christmas tree: • When you buy a tree this year, take your time. Feel the needles to be sure the tree is a fresh one. Brush the needles with your hand, and if some of them drop off, choose another tree. If needles, when brushed, drop off of all trees, choose another seller. Don't be afraid to shop around. • • • • When you have taken your tree home, if possible keep it out of doors until you are ready to place it in its y stand and decorate it. If you have no place to keep it out of doors, keep it in a non-heated garage or some other cool place. And, immediately, stand the tree in a pail of water. A freshly cut tree will “drink” water and help keep itself fresh and green. • • • • And don't bring the Christmas tree inside until just before Christmas. • • • • You can keep your Christmas $tree fresh longer by placing it in the coolest part of the room. Select a location which is away from radiators, hot air ducts, heaters, and fireplaces. • • • • When you buy a stand for the tree, select one which has a water container in which the trunk can rest. The tree will continue to "drink” water indoors, and more than you probably imagine. Check the metal container every day and refill it regularly. • • • • Always use flameproof decorations when trimming the tree. Preferably, you should use those made of glass, metal or fire-resistant material. • • • • Check the wires and sockets of Christmas tree lights several days before decorating the tree. If a string of lights has frayed wires, it should be discarded. Buy new ones and when you make your purchase, be sure the lights bear the UL label of Underwriters Laboratories. • • • • If possible, Christmas tree lights should be controlled by a switch some distance from the tree. A switch away from the tree makes it easier to shut off the electricity in case of trouble in the wiring. • • • • If part of your Christmas display includes an electrical train, the tracks should be set up away from the tree. A spark from a toy train under a tree could cause a Christmas fire. • Turn off Christmas tree lights at bedtime, and when there is no one in the room—and always when nobody is home. • • • • Your Christmas tree should be checked frequently for dryness. In particular, check the needles on the tree neat lights. If needles near a light are dry and brittle, change the position of the light. If the tree becomes so dry that the needles are falling in volume, take the tree down. • • • • Never decorate metal trees with Christmas lights— with metal trees there is always danger of an electrical shock or short circuit, the American Insurance Association says. Off-the-tree lighting should be used to give both a safe and attractive illumination. • • • • When Christmas gifts are opened, gather up gift wrappings immediately. Fold and put away any wrappings you may want to save and other paper, boxes, cords or ribbons should be gathered together and disposed of. • • • • When you take your tree down after the Christmas season, discard it outside, and remember to treat is as a fire hazard until it is removed. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Give Baby Sitter

Number of the

Fire Department If you are planning to leave your children at home to dine out, go to the theater, or visit friends during the Christmas holiday season, be certain- to employ a babysitter who knows what to do in case of an emergency, the American Insurance Association said today. It is a good idea to place a card by the phone with the phone numbers of the fire de partment, the police department, the family doctor, a nearby neighbor — and also where the parents may be reached, the Association said. The sitter should know two alternate routes of escape from the house so that she and the children can get out safely if one way is blocked by fire. These alternate routes should be shown to her, and she should be told that in case of fire she is to (I) get the children out of the house, and (2) then call the fire department