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# Safety officials recommend tips for avoiding holiday-related hazards

By DLA Public Affairs

                FORT BELVOIR, Virginia  –              
Traveling, decorating, cooking and giving are all part of the holiday season, and taking basic precautions will help keep family and friends safe and injury-free.

In 2017, 463 people died on Thanksgiving Day, 299 on Christmas Day and 329 on New Year’s Day, according to the National Safety Council. Alcohol was involved in about one-third of the fatalities. To stay safe on the roads:
                              - Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency preparedness kit;
                              - Avoid driving drowsy;
                              - Ensure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up;
                              - Put the cell phone away;
                              - Practice defensive driving; and
                              - Designate a sober driver after holiday parties.

While decorating is a good way to get in the holiday spirit, thousands of people are seen in emergency rooms each year for décor-related injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends these steps:
                              - Place candles where they can’t be knocked down and out of children’s reach;
                              - Keep potentially poisonous plants like mistletoe, holly berries and amaryllis away from children;
                              - Use artificial trees that are fire resistant;
                              - If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption and remember to water it;
                              - Place the tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources;
                              - Avoid placing breakable ornaments or those with small parts on lower tree branches where children can reach them;
                              - Use indoor and outdoor lights in the appropriate locations and choose the right ladder for hanging them;
                              - Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections; and
                              - Turn off all lights and decorations when going to bed or leaving the house.

The National Safety Council also reported that more than a quarter of a million children were seriously injured in toy-related incidents in 2017. To avoid safety hazards:
                              - Choose toys in the correct age range;
                              - Choose toys for children under 3 that don’t have small parts, which could be choking hazards;
                              - For children under 10, avoid toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet; and
                              - Include appropriate safety gear when giving scooters or other riding toys.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these tips for safe food handling:
                              - Wash your hands frequently when handling food;
                              - Keep raw meat away from fresh produce;
                              - Use separate cutting boards and utensils for uncooked and cooked meats;
                              - Use a thermometer to make sure meat is cooked to a safe temperature; and
                              - Refrigerate leftover food within two hours of being served.

More seasonal safety tips are available at www.nsc.org. 

 

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