Holiday Accident-Prevention Tips : An Open Season for Injuries, Fatalities and Damage

The holiday season, with its carefree and jolly atmosphere, also is open season for injuries, fatalities and damage that can ruin the holiday.

To minimize the chances of mishaps, the National Safety Council suggests that holiday helpers and celebrants heed these accident-prevention tips.

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, the proper use of decorations is crucial to a safe holiday season, according to Hans Grigo, the council’s home safety expert.

He says each year thousands of American families suffer needless injuries, loss of life and destruction of property due to accidents involving holiday decorations. Damaged or worn light strings, a dry tree, overloaded circuits and candles left unattended or near combustible material set the accident scene. They are serious fire risks.

Lights: Use only strings that have been tested for safety. Identify these by the UL mark from Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Check each old set for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections. Discard any equipment that is worn or broken. All lights should be fastened securely. Check labels on light strings to be used outdoors to make sure they are marked for outdoor use. Never use indoor lights outdoors. Overloading a circuit with too many lights could cause a fire. Do not use more than the recommended number of lights on one circuit. Turn off lights when you leave the house or head for bed.

Trimmings: Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them and possibly swallow them. Flame-retardant paper or plastic ornaments are generally safest for holiday decorations. Use only tinsel or artificial icicles made of non-lead material.

CANDLES

No lighted candles on a tree or near any flammables. Put candles in a non-flammable holder. Display only where they cannot be knocked down or blown over. If Hanukkah candles are placed in the window, position the menorah in a way that avoids contact with curtains and drapes. It only takes a short time for a burning wick or hot candle drippings to cause a fire. Never leave burning candles unattended.

TREES

Do not place near radiators, fireplace, in doorways or exit paths. The trees themselves can be one of the biggest fire hazards. Select the freshest tree by using the bounce test to see if it is too dry. Bounce the tree off the ground a few times. If a lot of needles fall, look for another. At home, cut the end off diagonally one to two inches above the original cut. Stand the tree in water, wet dirt or sand as soon as possible and add water daily. The best fireproofing for a tree is to keep it fresh.

PLANTS

Some holiday plants look tasty to little kids, but munching leaves, berries or flowers might cause severe stomach upsets. Plants tempting to kids include poinsettia, mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis. Keep them out of kids’ reach.

GIFTS

Babies and toddlers: Avoid baby toys with small pieces or parts that can be tugged, licked, munched or swallowed. Steer clear of sharp-edged toys and those with hazardous projections.

Elderly: Pick gifts that are not hard to open, close, operate or lift.

Allergies: Consider allergies before buying furry pets, furs, fur-trimmed clothing, scented gifts and edible gifts, such as candy for someone with a sugar allergy.

Gifts for life include child safety seats, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL

Driving too far, too fast is the way a lot of people get into trouble on highways over the holidays. “It’s better to spend a little less time wherever you’re going than not to spend any time at all because of an accident,” the council says.

If weather and road conditions are bad, increase following distance; reduce speed; be prepared to brake at all times; don’t delay braking; expect the other driver to do something unexpected; don’t drink and drive.

OFFICE PARTIES

A panel of experts, the Safety Council says, came up with these warnings for all who want to avoid risks:

--Don’t drink too much.

--Don’t be overly familiar with superiors.

--Don’t talk shop unless your supervisor brings it up.

--Don’t gossip or complain about work.

--Don’t be the last to leave.

About booze. Heed the same advice posted for all partygoers: Stick to the one-drink-in-one-hour routine if you expect to be driving later. Stop one hour before you leave.