Holiday Safety Tips
Here are some safety tips for you to think about this holiday season as you enjoy time with your family and friends:
Decorations:
- Place candles where they will not be knocked down.
- If possible, use battery-operated candles.
- In homes with small children, avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable.
- Decorations that have small removable parts should be kept out of the reach of children. Don’t use small decorations that resemble candy or food.
- Never use lighted candles on trees or near other evergreens
- Immediately remove or throw away all wrapping paper, bags, ribbons, etc. after opening gifts.
Trees:
- Make sure artificial trees are labeled “Fire Resistant”.
- If purchasing a live tree, look for freshness. Needles should be green and are hard to pull from branches.
- Keep live and artificial trees away from fireplaces, radiators, vents and portable heaters. Do not set trees up in the way of traffic or in front of doorways.
- Do not allow the tree to dry out. Water it regularly. Cut off a few inches from the bottom of the trunk before setting up. This allows for better water absorption.
Lights:
- Check all lights (even new sets) to be sure all bulbs work and there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
- All outdoor lights should be approved for outdoor use. Do not use “Indoor Use Only” lights outside.
- Plug all outdoor electric decorations into GFCI circuits to avoid potential shocks.
- Turn off all lights before you go to bed or leave the house.
Toy Safety:
- Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child.
- Read all toy instructions carefully before allowing children to play with new toys.
- Avoid giving children younger than 10 toys that have to be plugged in. Instead buy battery-operated toys.
- Children under three can choke on small parts contained in toys. Do not give a child under the age of three a toy with parts smaller than 1 1/4 inches round or 2 1/4 inches long.
Food Safety:
- Fully cook meats and poultry to avoid food poisoning. Thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruit.
- Wash your hands frequently when preparing food.
- Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separate and use separate utensils when preparing them.
- Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, not on the countertop.
- Do not leave foods that require refrigeration out for more than 2 hours.
Fireplaces:
- Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers and other decorations from the area.
- Check to make sure the flue is open.
- Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace!
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
This information is provided as a service to you by Compliance Consultants, Inc.
This information was compiled from the American Academy of Pediatrics website.