Holiday Season Safety Tips
The holiday season is upon us, and that means an abundance of decorations, dreidels, and desserts. But with all of the causes for celebration comes an increase risk in all things safety-related. And while it’s exciting to be swept up in the sea of holiday spirits, it is important to remember to be conscious and careful. Because after all of the gifts have been given and all of the trees have been trimmed, the only thing that matters is that we are safe and sound, and together again for the holiday season.
Here are a few Holiday Season Safety Tips that we would like to pass along to our friends, loved ones, and clients. Following these guidelines will help everyone have a happy and healthy holiday season, which is all that we really want for the holidays.
Christmas Tree Safety Tips:
- When purchasing a live tree, make sure it is fresh. The needles should not fall off easily when shaken or tapped on the ground, and the trunk should be sticky with resin.
- When purchasing an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled fire resistant. This does not mean it cannot catch on fire, but rather that the tree has been treated and should resist burning and be extinguished easily.
- Be sure to keep your tree away from heaters and fireplaces, and keep the stand full of water to prevent the tree from drying out.
- Never use lighted candles on a tree, and be sure that decorations and ornaments are not sharp or dangerous as they could be hazardous for young children.
Decorations and Lighting Safety Tips:
- Always check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Never try to repair damaged lights; instead properly dispose of them and purchase new ones.
- Be careful not to overload electrical outlets. A general rule of thumb is to never use more than three sets of lights per single extension cord.
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
- Before using lights outdoors, be sure to check labels to see if they have been certified for outdoor use.
- Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect them from damage. Use insulated staples to hold strings in place, or run the strings of lights through hooks purchased at a hardware store. Never use nails or tacks to hang wires.
- Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
- Turn off all lights when going to bed or leaving the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
Toy Safety Tips:
- Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with one that he or she has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully. If the toy is appropriate for your child, show him or her how to properly use it.
- To prevent burns and electrical shocks, give young children toys that are battery operated instead of those that need to be plugged into an outlet.
- Be wary of toys with small parts for young children, as they are liable to choke on parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.
- Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result, as the paper can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
And finally, don’t forget about your pets! All of the excitement and commotion of the holidays may affect them. Be sure to take the time to make your pets feel at ease and at home, and that your house is safe for them to be in.
By following these simple yet effective holiday safety tips, your family will be more apt for a safe holiday season. And a safe holiday season will help for a happy holiday season.
For more information on holiday season safety, please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics at: www.aap.org.
