From late November to mid-January, when families gather, parties are scheduled, and travel spikes, safety should be top of mind. Here are some tips to ensure your family remains safe and injury-free throughout the season.
Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared
Stay safe on the roads over the holidays- and every day:
Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you
Get a good night's sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving
Leave early, plan for heavy traffic
Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled
Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit
Practice defensive driving
Decorate Safely
Decorating is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, but emergency departments see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season.
When decorating, follow these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Keep potentially poisonous plants- mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis- away from children
If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled "fire resistant."
If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption; remember to water it and remove it from your home when it is dry.
Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights
Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them
Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections
Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket
Never nail, tack, or stress wiring when hanging lights, and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow
Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house
Watch out for Fire-Starters
Candles and Fireplaces
Use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations in many homes during the holidays, means more risk for fire. The National Fire Protection Association reports that, on average, candles cause 46% of fires annually in December.
Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over and out of reach of children
Keep matches and lighters up high and out of reach of children in a locked cabinet
Use flameless rather than lighted candles near flammable objects
Don't burn trees, wreaths, or wrapping paper in the fireplace
Use a screen on the fireplace at all times when a fire is burning
Never leave candles or fireplaces burning unattended or when you are asleep
Check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at least once a year
Turkey Fryers
Be alert to the dangers if you're thinking of celebrating the holidays by frying a turkey. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there have been hundreds of turkey-fryer-related fires, burns, or other injuries and millions of dollars in property loss from these incidents. If you plan to fry your turkey, follow all US Fire Administration turkey fryer guidelines.
Food Poisoning Is No Joke
Keep your holidays happy by handling food safely. The foodsafety.gov website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides some valuable holiday food safety tips:
Wash your hands frequently when handling food
Keep raw meat away from fresh produce
Use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils for uncooked and cooked meats to avoid cross-contamination.
Use a food thermometer to make sure meat is cooked to a safe temperature. Refrigerate hot or cold leftover food within two hours of being served
When storing turkey, cut the leftovers into small pieces so they will chill quickly
Leftovers are safe for three to four days when adequately refrigerated
It's Better to Give Safely
Gifts and toys should inspire joy, not cause injuries. Thousands of children are seriously injured in toy-related incidents every year. Avoid safety hazards while gifting with these tips from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission:
Toys are age-rated for safety, not for children's intellect and physical ability, so be sure to choose toys in the correct age range
Choose toys for children under 3 that do not have small parts which could be choking hazards
For children under 10, avoid toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet
Be cautious about toys that have button batteries or magnets, which can be harmful or fatal if swallowed
When giving scooters and other riding toys, give the gift of appropriate safety fear, too; helmets should be worn at all times, and they should be sized to fit
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