Dawg Tracks - Safety Talk Home Page

MSUcares Home Page

Dawg Tracks - Safety Talk

December

Holiday Safety Tips

What happened to this year of 2007?  It’s hard to believe that another year is almost gone, and the holidays will soon be here again!  Guess we better “drop back” and review some items that will help us to stay safe and sane during the season.

Following are some tips that we need to keep in mind to help us and our families to have an enjoyable and safe season:

BEWARE OF HOLIDAY CANDLES

  • Keep candles away from combustibles and decorations.
  • Don’t leave kids alone in areas with lighted candles, matches or lighters.  Keep these articles in a secure area out of reach of children.
  • Avoid using candles at parties, to decorate Christmas trees and displayed in windows.

TEST TREE TRIMMINGS

  • When buying lights, be sure that they are approved by a certified testing laboratory.
  • Outside decorating - Use only lights made for outside use.
  • Don’t overload outlets and unplug all lights at night and when leaving the home.  Avoid electric lights on metal trees.

KEEP CHRISTMAS TREES FRESH

  • Choose a fresh tree and secure it in a sturdy stand.
  • Place the tree away from heat sources and water daily.
  • If you buy an artificial tree, be sure that it is fire-retardant.

PREPARE FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES

  • For decorating - Use only fire retardant decorations or non-combustible materials.
  • If smoking is allowed in your home or location of the party, be sure to provide ample and deep dish ashtrays.  Also, when the guests are gone, be sure to check all ashtrays for live butts or ashes and also under upholstery furniture for the same.

DESIGNATE A DRIVER

  • If you are the host or hostess and “adult libations” are served, be sure that there are some designated drivers and non-alcoholic drinks are provided.

INSPECT FIREPLACES

  • Fireplaces are nice and cozy in the winter and especially during the holiday season.  Be sure to have them inspected and cleaned as necessary at the start of each winter season. Creosote can form on the chimney walls and cause a fire if not properly cleaned.  A good investment for family protection is a sturdy fire screen.
  • Burn only wood, as paper or pine boughs can float out of the chimney and possibly cause a fire at a friend and/or neighbor’s house.
  • When or if you purchase a factory-made fireplace, do so from only one that has approval from a certified laboratory.  If you hang Christmas stockings, don’t do this with a lighted fireplace.

BE CAUTIOUS WITH PORTABLE AND SPACE HEATERS

If you purchase, or have, wood stoves be sure that they are approved by a certified laboratory and meet local fire standards.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance.  As with a fireplace, you should have the chimney and flues checked at the start of every season. Also, as with space heaters, burn only wood and have the stove mounted on an approved stove board to give added fire protection for the house. Check with the fire department to be sure that the stove is installed according to the local fire codes.

COOK WITH CARE

When cooking, refrain from lose fitting clothing.  It can be ignited by burners.  Turn pot handle in and don’t store items on the stovetop, they could catch fire.  Don’t overload outlets and check all kitchen appliances for broken or frayed cords.

BUCKLE UP

Travel always increases during the holiday season.  Be sure to caution all occupants in the vehicle to “buckle up for safety.” Always put small kids (6 yrs. and younger or by local law) in the back seat and buckled up in approved laboratory tested seats.

PREPARE A WINTER STORM PLAN

Over the previous few years, we have had relatively light winters, but we are cyclical - so we should plan to have sufficient warm clothing and extra blankets available for family members.  Keep radios with extra batteries, in case of power outages and keep the television for severe weather warnings.

SANTA LIKES A CLEAN CHIMNEY
SO DO WE!!

LIGHT UP THE CHRISTMAS TREE, NOT YOUR HOME!
USE APPROVED DECORATIONS & LIGHTS!!!

A black line that separates the body text from footer information