FOR A JOYOUS SEASON

keep safety in mind

The holidays are meant to be filled with festivities, gatherings of friends and family, and celebrations. However, it is also the time of year when thousands end up in emergency rooms due to avoidable accidents. To ensure you and your loved ones are not rushing to seek medical help instead of gathering by the fireplace, here are some safety tips. Decorations

When using extension cords for outdoor decorations, be sure they are labeled for outdoor use. Indoor extension cards are not made to get wet. Check to ensure the cords do not have any damage or exposed or frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections. Do not overload electrical sockets.

Holiday plants such as poinsettias can be poisonous, so keep them away from pets and children.

If small children are going to be around your Christmas/ holiday tree, makes sure any metal hooks or breakable ornaments are out of little fingers’ reach.

Some holiday tinsel icicles and angel hair can be dangerous. Angel hair is made from spun glass, so always wear gloves so it will not irritate your skin or eyes.

Artificial snow is beautiful, but if it’s inhaled, it can irritate your lungs, specially in small children and seniors.

Exterior blow-ups are a great way to decorate outside, but let your children know they are not play toys and to stay off them. Extension cords for these usually extend into the yard, so be sure to secure them into the ground to prevent a tripping hazard. If an extension cord crosses a walkway, cover it with an outdoor mat.

If your Christmas/holiday tree will be a live one, choose one that is as fresh as possible and keep it watered and away from candles or fireplace.

Falls

When using a ladder to hang Christmas/holiday lights or other items outside or decorating inside your home, make sure it is on a flat and stable surface. Do not place the ladder on top of any other object, and it is best to have a spotter close by.

Make sure all inside and outside pathways are clear of decorations, extension cords or wires.

Space heaters, candles and lights

Never leave a space heater or candles unattended. Keep pets and children away from space heaters, and never place a space heater on or near a rug or carpet that could catch on fire.

Space heaters should never be within 4 feet of beds, drapes, furniture, rugs, wrapping paper, books or anything flammable.

Ensure the space heater has a “tip switch” so it will shut off if it falls over.

When you go to bed or leave the house, make sure all holiday lights inside and out are off, candles blown out and space heaters are turned off. Many people use timers so they don’t have to turn on/off tree and other lights every time.

Kitchen and table

During the holidays, the kitchen is usually the festive gathering place, but it can pose a number of hazards.

When removing hot foods from the oven or microwave, be sure no one, especially small children, are close by. Liquids in foods coming out an oven or microwave can quickly burn someone if spilled.

Make sure all pot handles on the stove are turned inward so

they cannot be pulled off or bumped into as people make their way around the kitchen.

Do not leave cooking food unattended and stay in the kitchen until all items cooking have been removed from the stove, oven or microwave.

It is easy to forget about items cooking when entertaining guests or enjoying holiday

adult beverages, so use a timer to ensure the holiday meal will be wonderful.

Make sure your stove and oven are clean and free of grease prior to cooking, and check often when cooking food that could boil over and create smoke or fire.

If guests and/or young children will be at your holiday table, consider using clear corner table protectors that are usually used for child-proofing dining tables.

With people enjoying adult beverages or getting up and down, these protectors will keep your table setting and food on the table if tablecloths are used.

If you use a step ladder in your kitchen, stay focused going up and stepping down, and make sure no small children are close by. If you are reaching for something heavy, ask an adult to assist by handing it to them before stepping down.

Also, make sure all fire detectors are in good shape and operational before your fun holidays begin.

Exterior blow-ups are a great way to decorate outside, but let your children know they are not play toys and to stay off them. Extension cords for these usually extend into the yard, so be sure to secure them into the ground to prevent a tripping hazard.