Deck, adorn and festoon, but do so safely
In the midst of all the holiday hubbub, take some time to think about safety. Here are some tips from the House Doctors Handyman Service to keep this happy time of the year danger-free:
Make sure your artificial tree has a fire-resistant label. The tree can still catch fire, but it will resist burning and will be easier to extinguish.
To check for a fresh live tree, make sure the needles are hard to pull from the branches, and that they bend, but don't break. A fresh tree should be dark green in color.
Place any kind of tree away from radiators and fireplaces.
Indoor and outdoor lights should have a label indicating they've been tested by a recognized testing laboratory, like the Underwriters Lab (UL).
Check lights for old, broken or cracked sockets, bare or frayed wires, or loose connections.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree, which can become charged with electricity, and electrocute anyone who touches a branch.
Check to make sure lights are certified for outdoor use when stringing them outside.
Plug outdoor lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters.
Turn off all lights when retiring for the night or leaving the house. Lights can short out, causing a fire.
Use only noncombustible or flame-resistant materials to trim the tree.
Never use lighted candles on any tree, artificial or live.
Wear gloves when decorating with spun glass "angel hair" – it can cause skin and eye irritation.
If you're going to use artificial snow, read the directions to avoid lung irritation.
– UNION-TRIBUNE
County property taxes are due
The first installment of 2005-2006 county property taxes is due tomorrow, two days later than usual, according to county Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister.
The usual Dec. 10 deadline was extended because it fell on a Saturday. Payments must be received at one of five of McAllister's offices by 7 p.m. Monday or, if mailed, postmarked Dec. 12 to avoid a 10 percent penalty. Property owners whose property taxes are automatically collected as part of their mortgage payments in an impound account do not have to pay at this time.
Taxpayers may pay in person at several locations around the county between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; by phone; or online. A 24-hour automated information line is (877) 829-4732 and the online Web site is www.sdtreastax.com. Payments may be made by credit card but there is a service fee depending on which card is used.
The tax collector's offices are in a temporary tent on the south lawn of the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway downtown; 344 Via Vera Cruz, Room 150, San Marcos; 200 S. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon; 590 Third Ave., Chula Vista; and 9225 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. in Kearny Mesa.
– ROGER M. SHOWLEY
