Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998

Holiday safety tips

Editor's note: The following article was provided to the Newsbulletin by the Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH) Division.

The holidays are rapidly approaching, and many of us are filled with the excitement and anticipation of the wondrous events of the holiday season. To help ensure a safe holiday, the following safety tips should be considered to prevent any accidents or harm to your home, family and friends. These are simple prevention safety tips that could save your life.

Fire Safety:

• Buy a fresh Christmas tree. Check that the needles are not falling off or that it is not too dry. Trim approximately one-inch off the bottom of the tree so it will absorb water readily. Fasten securely in a sturdy holder and fill with water regularly.
• Do not locate the tree near an area where it will be subjected to intense heat, such as a fireplace, woodstove, heating duct or heater.
• Do not block exit paths and doorways with the tree.
• Use Christmas lights that utilize lower wattage bulbs or are of the "twinkle type." Be sure they are in good condition and operating properly. Never use candles or any open flame devices on Christmas trees.
• Don't overload electrical circuits by plugging too many cords into a single outlet. Connect a maximum of three strings of Christmas lights per outlet.
• Always turn off Christmas lights when no one is home or whenever you go to bed.
• Check the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission web page for Safety tips on purchasing artificial trees and holiday Christmas lights. (See web url below)

Home Safety:

• Change your smoke detector batteries annually, preferably before the holidays (an easy way to remember is when you turn your clocks back in the fall, change the smoke detector batteries).
• Check your smoke detectors by pushing the safety test button. Vacuum or clean the detector of dust and cobwebs to ensure its sensitivity.
• Change your flashlight batteries regularly in case of emergencies. Keep a flashlight near your bed, in the kitchen, basement and family room and use it in the event of an emergency.
• Install a fire extinguisher in or near your kitchen and know how to use it. Obtain a multi-or all-purpose (e.g. ABC extinguisher) fire extinguisher that is listed by an accredited testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL labeled).
• Plan and practice emergency fire drills and escape routes with the entire family (see kidshealth.org web page) and choose a safe spot away from the house where family members can meet after they leave the house. Make sure children understand smoke detector signals and fire escape routes. You have only 90 seconds to escape a fire before temperatures and toxic gases engulf the home.
• Keep fire places clean and covered with a screen. Have your chimney cleaned once a year. Don't burn any wrapping paper or other materials that can escape or ignite nearby items while burning. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
• Never leave a fire burning unattended in the fireplace. Make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Don't let children use the stove or other kitchen appliances by themselves and supervise art or science projects that involve flames or electrical devices.
• Don't leave food cooking on the stove unattended.
• Make sure lit candles are far from children's reach.
• If you smoke, don't leave lit cigarettes unattended or sitting on furniture, and don't ever smoke in bed.
• Never leave matches or lighters around the house.

Holiday Shopping Safety Tips:

• Before you leave home set a timer for lights to come on or leave a light on.
• When parking at the mall or shopping center make a note of the aisle you park in.
• Park in a well-lit area, preferably close to the entry of the store or shopping center. Hold onto your children.
• Put your purchases in the trunk or cover with a dark blanket.
• Lock up your car.
• If you feel uncomfortable by the presence of a stranger, ask security to accompany you to your vehicle, or call the police.
• Never leave your pocketbook or wallet unattended.
• Do not flash large amounts of cash.

Toy Safety Tips:

The world is a big, exciting place for children to explore -- do your best to provide a secure environment for them. This section will help you make your child's world a little safer (From the American Academy of Pediatrics).

The Matching Game

• When choosing a toy, make sure to match the toy to the child's abilities. A toy that is too advanced or too simple for a child may be misused, leading to injury.
• Think big when choosing toys. All top parts should be larger than the child's mouth to prevent choking and other injuries.

Purchasing Tips

• Read the instructions before buying a toy.
• To avoid the risk of serious eye or ear injury, avoid toys that shoot small objects into the air or make loud noises. Hold noise-making toys next to your own ear to determine whether it will be too loud for a child.
• Look for sturdy toy construction. The eyes, nose and other small parts on soft toys and stuffed animals should be securely fastened.
• Avoid toys with sharp edges.

For the Older Crowd

• Never buy hobby kits, such as chemistry sets, for any child younger than 12. Provide proper supervision for children ages 12 to 15.
• Tips of arrows or darts should be blunt, made of soft rubber or flexible plastic and securely fastened to the shaft.

This season, take time to practice the "Holiday Safety Tips" in your home with your family and your friends. The Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH) Division wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

The following URLs are for family enjoyment during the holidays:

• http://www.infocom.com/~hboyce/santa1.htm
• http://www.infocom.com/~hboyce/santa1k.htm
• http://members.cruzio.com/~hoax1950/KidsFireSafetyTips.html
• http://kate.gulf.net/holidays/christmas/holidaysafety.html
• http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/safety/index.html
• http://www.safekids.org/home.html
• http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml98/98030.html
• http://www.jcn18.com/

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Fidelity Investments at Laboratory Dec. 9 and 10

A representative from Fidelity Investments will be at the Laboratory Dec. 9 and 10 to meet with employees to discuss retirement planning, investment education, tax-deferred 403(b) enrollments and transfers, and Defined Contribution Plan (401(a)) enrollments and transfers.

Employees should call 1-800-642-7131 to set up appointment times for one-on-one consultations at the Benefits Office on the second floor of the Otowi Building, said Rosella Atencio-Gerst of Compensation and Benefits (HR-1).

For more information, call 7-1806 or write to benefits@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

--Steve Sandoval

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TCO distributes brochure on Lab's entrepreneurial program

The Technology Commercialization Office (CIT-TCO) recently mailed out brochures to Laboratory managers detailing the Lab's entrepreneurship program. The 13-page brochure covers the history and importance of entrepreneurship at the Laboratory, the TCO's role in entrepreneurship and the services that the office provides, the Lab's entrepreneurial leave-of-absence policy, conflict of interest and how to get started in the program. The TCO strongly encourages Lab managers to share the information provided in the brochure with those employees who may be interested in participating in the entrepreneurship program. For more information or to obtain a brochure, call 5-6756.

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Acting deputy for science technology and programs on radio today

Warren "Pete" Miller, the Laboratory's acting deputy director for science, technology and programs, will be interviewed from 7 to 8 a.m. this morning on radio station KRSN.

Mark Bentley of KRSN and Miller will talk about the Lab's plans as Miller assumes the duties of acting deputy director for business, administration and outreach, a post now held by Tom Garcia.

Garcia will be leaving the Laboratory to take a position in the private sector.

Garcia is scheduled to appear on KRSN at the same time next Thursday, Dec. 10.

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On today's bulletin board
Endress & Hauser at Los Alamos Inn Dec. 10 Wellness Center special events Lost: house key Lab's Holiday Drive continues through Dec. 8 Recharge presentation slated for Thursday Benefits termination presentation every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Found: single house key Program and photographs of 'New Deal Art' at Mesa Public Library	Program and photographs of 'New Deal Art' at Mesa Public Library Lost: keys with blue braided cord Sections of Wellness Center parking lot closed this week Found: karate bag Environmental Surveillance searchable database Sensitive property items Plan for shipping delays during holidays Free Wellness Center classes offered A reminder to staff who discuss technical data with foreign nationals

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