Holiday Safety

DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE

FACT: Typically, there are 370 Christmas tree fires in U.S. homes, resulting in 5 deaths, 60 injuries and $15.7 million in direct property damage.

1) Place your freshly cut (not dried out) tree as far as possible from heaters, stoves, fireplaces or other fire hazards.

2) Make sure the tree is securely anchored so it cannot be knocked over by children or pets.

3) Use only lights that are UL or CSA approved. Check them prior to use and repair or replace any damaged wiring, plugs, sockets or bulbs.

4) Do not place paper cloth decorations near tree lights.

5) Turn Christmas lights on for only short periods of times and unplug them when going out or to bed.

6) The stem of the tree should be cut diagonally to allow the tree to soak up water from the stand. Water should be added twice daily to prevent it from drying out.

7) Ensure that your artificial tree is labeled as fire-retardant.

8) Place decorations that are breakable or have small parts out of reach of small children and pets.

9) Always supervise children around the Christmas tree.

10) Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house or garage.

DECORATING THE HOUSE

1) Lit candles are a fire and burn hazard. They should be placed in a safe location out of reach of small children and should never be left unattended.

2) Keep holly, mistletoe and poinsettias out of reach of small children and pets. These and other plants are considered potentially poisonous.

3) If there are young children in the home, ensure that garlands, wreaths and other decorations are out of reach.

4) If you are decorating with balloons, be aware that broken balloons pose a serious choking hazard to little children.

ENTERTAINING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

1) Holiday gatherings bring friends and family together. However, hosts and guests who are not accustomed to having little children around may need to be reminded to keep dangerous items out of reach:
     --Nuts, candies and small snack foods can cause choking;
     --Hot drinks are a frequent cause of scalding burns;
     --Cigarettes are poisonous if eaten, and lit cigarettes are a burn and fire hazard;
     --Alcohol can cause poisoning and brain damage in young children.

2) Purses are enticing to young children but may contain such dangerous items as medications, lighters, sharp objects or cosmetics. Leftover food, drinks and ashtrays should be cleaned up promptly after entertaining so they are not accessible to little early-risers!

And, of course, drinking and driving do not mix - ensure your guests get home safely!

CHOOSING SAFE GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

1) Select gifts that are suited to the child’s age and abilities. Look for the manufacturer’s age recommendations on the package.

2) If you are buying a gift for someone else’s child, don’t hesitate to ask the parents for suggestions.

3) Remember that children put things in their mouths. Check toys carefully for small parts that could be pulled or broken off (such as the eyes on stuffed toys or the wheels on toy cars).

4) Check all toys for sharp points or edges.

5) Follow the manufacturer’s directions closely for correct toy assembly and use. Teach the child how to use the toy properly.

6) Ensure that older children have adequate adult supervision with toys that may pose a safety hazard if used incorrectly, such as chemistry sets or woodburning kits.

7) Keep broken toys out of reach until they can be repaired. Discard toys that cannot be repaired.

8) Keep in mind that the use of batteries in toys should be monitored for the following potential dangers:
     --incorrectly installed batteries (with wrong ends in contact) may overheat and explode;
     --old batteries may leak - the chemicals inside can cause burns;
     --small “button” batteries can be swallowed and may cause poisoning.

9) Include necessary protective gear with a gift of sports equipment (such as a helmet with a bike or knee, wrist, elbow protectors and helmet with rollerblades).

10) Discard wrapping materials properly. Plastic bags can lead to suffocations and small packing pellets can be a choking hazard for little children.