Holiday
Season Safety
The National Safety Council offers these
suggestions to help make
your holiday season merry and safe.
Decorations
Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass "angel
hair." It can irritate your eyes and skin. A common
substitute is non-flammable cotton. Both angel hair and cotton
snow are flame retardant when used alone. However, if artificial
snow is sprayed onto them, the dried combination will burn
rapidly. 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.
Fireplaces
You should not try to burn evergreens or wreaths in the
fireplace or in a wood stove to dispose of them. They are likely
to flare out of control and send flames and smoke into the room.
Also, do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace because it often
contains metallic materials which can be toxic if burned.
Candles
Never use lighted candles near trees, boughs,
curtains/drapes, or with any potentially flammable item.
Toys and Gifts
Be especially careful when you choose toys for infants or
small children. Be sure anything you give them is too big to get
caught in the throat, nose or ears. Avoid toys with small parts
that can be pulled or broken off. If you are giving toys to
several children in one family, consider their age differences and
the chances that younger children will want to play with older
kids' toys.
Older Adults
Select gifts for older adults that are not heavy or awkward
to handle. For persons with arthritis, make sure the gift does not
require assembly and can be easily opened and closed. Choose books
with large type for anyone with vision impairment.
Plants
Small children may think that holiday plants look good
enough to eat. But many plants 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.
Food and Cooking
The holidays often mean preparing large meals for family
and friends. 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. For questions concerning holiday turkey
preparation and cooking call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at
1-800-535-4555. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered shallow
containers (less than two inches deep) within two hours after
cooking. Date the leftovers for future use.
Alcohol, Parties and Driving
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.
Stress
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 rather than hurry
through stores and parking lots. Only plan to do a reasonable
number of errands. When shopping, make several trips out to the
car to drop off packages rather than trying to carry too many
items. Take time out for yourself. Relax, read, or enjoy your
favorite hobby at your own pace.
Source: National Safety Council
