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December 5, 2005 Volume 30, Issue 16 |
Holiday Safety Tips
By Leslie Woolington
University Safety Officer
A few common-sense precautions can help keep your holidays safe and happy.
Decorating and Lighting:
• Candles, colored lights, Christmas trees, artificial snow, and plants add a lot of beauty to festive occasions. Unfortunately, young children and pets often like to play with them. Make sure decorations are kid-safe or out of reach.
• Candles also are popular, but don’t let yours go up in smoke! Never leave them burning unattended, and never place them too close to other objects. Keep lighters and matches out of children’s reach, too.
• Inspect new and used strings of lights, replacing damaged ones before plugging them in.
• Don’t overload electrical outlets. Do not link more than three light strands together, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.
• Turn off all lights and decorations before leaving the home or going to bed.
Food:
• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S.
• The holidays often mean preparing large meals for family and friends. Wash hands, utensils, sink, and anything else that has come in contact with raw poultry.
• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in covered shallow containers (less than two inches deep) within two hours after cooking.
Alcohol, Parties and Driving:
• Being a smart party host or guest should include being sensible about alcoholic drinks. Use designated drivers—people who do not drink—to drive other guests home after a holiday party.
Don’t let accidents spoil your holidays. Plan now to play it safe this year and every year.