It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Practice these simple Christmas safety tips to keep your loved ones safe this holiday season:
Replace old lights and use them correctly: Use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and always turn them off when leaving the house or going to bed. Be sure to replace light sets that have broken sockets or frayed wires.
Don’t become the subject of the family Christmas story: Ladder injuries send more than 10,000 people annually to hospital. If you’re using a ladder outdoors, do so during daylight hours, and clear away snow or ice before setting it down. Never stand on a rung higher than fourth from the top, and don’t climb up or down while carrying anything. Instead, place lights or other items in a container and raise and lower them by rope while maintaining three- point contact with the ladder: one hand and two feet, or two hands and one foot. Make sure you have a spotter, too.
Practice car safety when travelling: It’s always important to drive safely, but the Christmas travel season can be especially dangerous. Have your car serviced before leaving on a road trip, carry an emergency kit and give yourself extra time to avoid rushing. Remember to decrease your speed if you’re driving in snow or ice, and wait for snowplows and sanding trucks to clear the roadways before starting your journey.
Don’t make the tree a fire hazard: If you have a “live” tree, cut off 10 cm (2 inches) of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Make sure there’s always water in the tree stand. Keep your tree at least one metre (three feet) away from heat sources or fireplaces. And if you buy an artificial tree, check that it’s labeled “fire resistant.”
Properly secure the tree: No one wants to get squished by a falling Christmas tree. Make sure your tree is properly secured with a strong stand that doesn’t lean. If you have a fresh tree, don’t whittle or taper the trunk to fit your stand; this makes the tree less stable.
Don’t burn wrapping paper in the fireplace: Don’t burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper; and always use a fireplace screen.
Be sure to fully cook the turkey: Undercooked turkey is one of the top 10 foods that make people sick. But it’s not just the turkey: Stuffing absorbs the juices inside the bird, so it has to be as thoroughly cooked as the meat. Eggnog is also notorious for making people sick if it’s left unrefrigerated for too long or made with raw eggs, which can contain salmonella bacteria. Unstuffed turkey should be cooked to 170°F (77°C) and a stuffed one to 180°F (82°C). Alternatively, cook the stuffing separately. Stuffed or not, always roast a turkey in a 325°F (160°C) oven. Never start cooking it in one place, then transport it to another and finish cooking there.
Be careful with candles: The top three days for home fires started by candles in North America are Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Be sure to keep candles at least 30 cm (one foot) away from anything flammable. Make sure candles are in stable holders that can’t be easily knocked down, and never leave burning candles unattended.
Don’t ignore chest pain: The risk of heart attack spikes during the holiday season. Pressure on the chest, neck, throat, jaw or arm discomfort, shortness of breath or nausea that comes out of the blue needs to be taken seriously. Don’t guess! Call 9-1-1.
On behalf of all of us at Redwood Meadows Emergency Services, best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season – it was our honour and privilege to serve the community in 2021!
Until next month, stay safe!
Alison Archambult
