Galesburg Reporter

State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) is urging residents to make safety a critical part of their holiday season.

“As Illinoisans get into the festive spirit by decorating their homes, the Illinois State Fire Marshal has some safety tips to keep in mind,” Tracy said in a press release that also promoted the 2021 Safe Shopping Guide.

Tips for safeguarding your home include making sure holiday decorations are either flame-retardant or flame-resistant, keeping candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can catch fire, keeping children and pets away from lit candles, making sure holiday lights are rated for indoor or outdoor use, replacing any light strands that have worn or broken cords and making sure real Christmas trees are properly tended to.

In addition, Tracy is advising parents to look over the Attorney General’s 2021 Safe Shopping Guide that calls attention to hazardous toys and children's products and clothing items that have been recently recalled before making any holiday purchases. This year’s Safe Shopping Guide list includes upwards of 50 items recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, prompting Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to urge parents to be prepared to take every precaution.

“Even though recalled products should not be sold, families should ensure they do not have these items in their homes,” he said in a press release. “At a time when many shoppers will visit secondhand websites where these products may still be available, it is particularly important that anyone who has a child on their shopping list check the guide before shopping, and avoid purchasing toys or items that could harm a child you love.”