Decorating Safety
·
Never use lighted
candles near trees, boughs, curtains/drapes, or with any potentially flammable
item.
·
Wear gloves while
decorating with spun glass “angel hair.” It can irritate your eyes and skin. A
common substitute is non-flammable cotton.
·
When spraying
artificial snow on windows or other surfaces, be sure to follow directions
carefully. These sprays can irritate your lungs if you inhale them.
·
Small children
may think that holiday plants look good enough to eat, but many plants may be
poisonous or can cause severe stomach problems. Plants to watch out for
include: mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis. Keep all of
these plants out of children's reach.
·
When displaying a
tree, cut off about two inches off the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy,
water-holding stand. Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry
out quickly.
·
Stand your tree
away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Make sure the tree does
not block foot traffic or doorways.
·
Avoid placing
breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches
where small children or pets can reach them.
·
If you use an
artificial tree, choose one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant.
Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters
Laboratory (UL) label.
·
Only use indoor
lights indoors (and outdoor lights only outdoors). Look for the UL label. Check
lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose
connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.
·
Use no more than
three light sets on any one extension cord. Extension cords should be placed
against the wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs,
around furniture legs or across doorways.
·
Turn off all
lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Unplug
extension cords when not in use.
·
If using a
natural tree, make sure it is well watered to avoid dry branches from catching
fire from the heat of light bulbs.
·
When displaying
outdoor lights, fasten them firmly to a secure support with insulated staples
or hooks to avoid wind damage. Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging
lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow.
Ladder Safety
·
When putting up
holiday decorations, always use the proper step stool or ladder to reach high
places. Don’t stand on chairs, desks or other furniture.
·
If you have to
use a step ladder near a doorway, lock or barricade the door and post signs so
no one will open it and knock you off the ladder.
·
A straight or
extension ladder should be placed one foot away from the surface it rests
against for every four feet of ladder height.
·
When you climb,
always face the ladder and grip the rungs to climb – not the side rails. Always
keep three points of contact on the ladder whether two hands and one foot, or
two feet and one hand.
·
When climbing,
keep your hips between the side rails and do not lean too far or overreach.
Reposition the ladder closer to the work instead.
·
Use ladders with
slip-resistant feet and wear clean, dry and slip-resistant shoes when climbing
a ladder.
·
When using ladders
outdoors, get down immediately if high winds, rain, snow or other inclement
weather begins. Winds can blow you off the ladder and rain or snow can make
both the rungs and the ground slippery.
Hosting and Food Safety
·
When preparing a holiday meal for friends and family be sure to
wash hands, utensils, sink, and anything else that has come in contact with raw
poultry. Keep in mind that a stuffed bird takes longer to cook.
·
Never defrost food at room temperature. Thaw it in the
refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave.
·
While doing holiday cooking, keep your knives sharp. Most knife
injuries occur due to dull blades.
·
Use a clean food thermometer to cook foods to a safe internal
temperature before serving.
·
Avoid cleaning kitchen surfaces with wet dishcloths or sponges.
They easily harbor bacteria and promote bacteria growth. Use clean paper towels
instead.
·
When reheating leftovers, bring the temperature up to at least
165°F to eliminate any bacterial growth.
·
Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered shallow containers
(less than two inches deep) within two hours after cooking. Date the leftovers
for future use.
·
Being a smart party host or guest should include being sensible
about alcoholic drinks. More than half of all traffic fatalities are
alcohol-related. Use designated drivers, people who do not drink, to drive
other guests home after a holiday party.
·
The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year.
You can’t avoid stress completely, but you can give yourself some relief. Allow
enough time to shop for gifts and meal items rather than hurry through stores
and parking lots. Only plan to do a reasonable number of errands.
Winter Vehicle Preparation
·
Prepare your car for the winter by checking items such as the
brakes, spark plugs, battery, and tires. Check your owner’s manual for the
recommended interval for a tune-up.
·
Be prepared for emergency situations on the road by having a
winter “survival kit” in the vehicle including items such as, a working
flashlight, extra batteries, reflective triangles, compass, first aid kit,
exterior windshield cleaner, ice scraper, snow brush, wooden stick matches in a
waterproof container, and non-perishable, high energy foods like unsalted
canned nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy.
Disclaimer: Information and recommendations
contained in this piece are compiled from sources believed to be reliable. The
National Safety Council makes no guarantee as to and assumes no responsibility
for the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information or
recommendations. Other or additional safety measures may be required under
particular circumstances.
