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American Red Cross offers holiday safety tips
The American Red Cross urges caution around the holidays when decorating
with candles, cooking holiday meals and driving to and from holiday celebrations.
Twelve tips released by the American Red Cross were developed to help
Americans in neighborhoods across the country prevent injuries or even
fatalities during the holiday season.
"One of the thrusts of the American Red Cross is to provide people
with preparedness and injury prevention skills," said Beverly Hoover,
American Red Cross health and safety expert. "We are hoping the tips
raise awareness of how to prevent injuries so people can enjoy the holiday
season."
Beware of holiday lighting: Keep burning candles away from decorations
or other combustible materials. Don't leave children unattended in a room
with lit candles, and always keep candles, as well as matches and lighters,
out of the reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows
or near exits.
Test tree trimmings: Purchase and use only holiday lights labeled
by a testing laboratory. Never use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
For outside decorations, use only lights labeled for outdoor use. Don't
overload electrical outlets and unplug all lights before leaving home
or going to bed. Never put electrical lights on a metal Christmas tree.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 600 fires
per year are started by ignition of Christmas trees, causing an average
of 33 deaths, 117 injuries and $23 million in direct property damage.
Prepare for holiday parties: Decorate only with flame-retardant
or noncombustible materials. Avoid using candles during parties. Provide
large, deep ashtrays for guests who are smokers. Check the ashtrays frequently.
After the party, check inside and under upholstery and in trash cans for
cigarette butts that may be smoldering.
Keep Christmas trees fresh: Choose a fresh Christmas tree and
secure it in a sturdy stand. Place the tree away from heat sources and
exits and water it daily. Artificial trees should be labeled as fire-retardant.
If using the fireplace, don't hang holiday stockings.
Inspect fireplaces: Have the chimney inspected by a professional
before the start of every heating season and cleaned if necessary. Creosote,
a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys
and can cause a chimney fire if it is not properly cleaned out. Always
use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Remember to burn only wood - never
burn paper or pine boughs, which can float out of the chimney and ignite
a neighboring home. Never use flammable liquids in a fireplace. If purchasing
a factory-built fireplace, select one listed by a testing laboratory and
have it installed according to local codes.
Wood stoves: Be sure wood or coal stoves have the label of a recognized
testing laboratory and that they meet local fire codes. Follow manufacturers'
recommendations for proper use and maintenance. Chimney connections and
chimney flues should be inspected at the beginning of each heating season
and cleaned if necessary. Follow the same safety rules for wood stoves
as for space heaters. Burn only wood and be sure the wood stove is placed
on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and hot coals.
Be sure to check with the local fire department and check local codes
before having a wood stove installed.
Portable and space heaters: Place space heaters at least 3 feet
away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing,
pets and people. Never leave space heaters operating when not in the room
or after going to bed. Don't leave children or pets unattended with space
heaters, and be sure everyone knows that drying wet mittens or other clothing
over space heaters is a fire danger.
Cooking: Don't wear loose fitting clothing when cooking. It can
be ignited by hot burners. Always turn pot handles in. Don't store items
on the stove top; they could catch fire. Keep kitchen appliances clean
and in good condition and turn them off after use. Don't overload electrical
outlets, and don't use appliances with frayed or cracked wires.
Use a designated driver: When attending holiday parties, always
designate a nondrinking driver. If hosting a holiday gathering, be sure
there are nonalcoholic beverages available for designated drivers.
Wear seat belts: Wearing a seat belt is the easiest and best way
to prevent injury in a motor vehicle collision. Insist that all passengers
also wear safety belts.
Prepare a winter storm plan: Have extra blankets on hand and ensure
that each member of the household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens,
hat and water-resistant boots. Stay tuned for storm warnings by listening
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather
Radio and local radio and television stations for updated storm information.
It's also important to have vehicles winterized before winter-storm season.
Enroll in a first aid and CPR course: Local Red Cross agencies
periodically offer first aid or CPR courses. Consider signing up for a
class. It could help save a life.
--Fran Talley
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