December

Keeping Holidays Safe and Happy

Before climbing up on the roof to string the Christmas lights, consider this: Every year hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries related to Holiday Lights, Decorations and Christmas Trees. Such as Falls, Cuts and Shocks according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

In addition, the yearly fire cost for loss and damage between December 24, 25, and 26 is esti­mated at over $80 million. These losses resulted from approximately 11,600 fires that required a fire department response. Such fires cause an estimated annual average of 250 injuries and 40 fatalities. Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries and an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage.

Average December Fires 1996-1998
December 1-14th 1.2 Christmas tree fires a day
December 15- January 1st 7.7 Christmas tree fires a day

 Tips to make your holiday a safe one:

Trees:

• If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways or exits.

Lights:

• Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, Use only lights that have fused plugs.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
• Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes.
• Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
• Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
• Use caution when removing outdoor holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights - they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines. Follow safety measures to avoid slips, trips and falls, particularly in icy conditions.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Keep "Bubbling" lights away from children. The brightly colored candle-shaped lights and bubbling movement can tempt curious children to break the glass, which can cut, and attempt to drink the liquid, which contains a hazardous chemical.

Decorations: 

• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
• *Never use lighted candles on a tree, near other evergreens or close to flammable objects such as curtains. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down. Do not leave candles burning while you are away from the house. Extinguish all sources of open flames before retiring to bed.
• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "Angel Hair."
• Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation and injury while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
• Avoid  "Trimmings" that resemble candy or food. Children might eat them!

* Choose" Tinsel" or "Artificial Icicles" of plastic or non-leaded metals. Avoid decorative candles with metal wicks, which can contain lead. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children Fireplaces:

• Use care with "fire salts" which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
• Do not burn "wrapping papers" in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
• "Fire Crystals" which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires, can contain heavy metals, corrosive agents, and irritants, which can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation or vomiting if eaten. Keep away from children.
• Burn wood stoves with the appropriate and recommended materials. Do not use treated wood. Make sure that fireplaces and wood stoves have adequate ventilation.
• Burn fireplaces and woodstoves "Hot" to avoid the build-up of creosote (the cause of chimney fires).
• Keep young children away from the heat source, close doors completely or use a fireguard to prevent burns and serious injuries. Always supervise children around any open heat or light source.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy, know how to use and keep it maintained.
• NEVER let children play with matches, lighters or BBQ wands.

Seasonal Plants

To avoid the possibility of poisoning, know your plants! If in doubt, throw it out!

Poinsettia: In most cases, exposure to poinsettia plants will cause little reaction. Ingestion by small children may cause skin or mouth irritation, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Mistletoe: Ingesting a few of the relatively non-toxic berries could produce mild nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Ingesting concentrated extracts of the plant, including the berries, may produce serious poisonings.

Holly: Ingestion of a couple of berries most commonly results in mild to moderate stomach irritation and possible mild drowsiness. Ingestion of a large quantity of berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and extreme drowsiness.  The leaves have spines, which can cause mechanical injury (such as injury to mouth or throat).

Pine, Fir and Spruce Trees: The needles may cause mechanical injury or choking if ingested.

* For ALL Emergencies call 9-1-1 immediately. If you suspect poisoning call the Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222

Holiday Pet Poisoning Prevention Tips

During the busy holiday season, we often forget about our pets. Dogs are especially prone to poisoning as they can and often DO eat almost anything. Avoid potential pet danger with some preventive measures this holiday season.

• Don't allow your dog to eat chocolate. Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine, which acts very much like caffeine. Too much theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, restlessness, excitement, tremors, seizures, and even coma.
• Don't feed your pets alcohol or illicit drugs. It is dangerous. Many pets have had to be treated at an emergency vet clinic because of the foolishness of their owners.
• Have the phone number of your veterinarian and the emergency vet number posted. Keep the poison center number handy. If you suspect a pet poisoning, do not wait to call. Prompt attention may make a crucial difference in your pet's health.
• To make your dog vomit at home (under the direction of a health professional), use 3% household hydrogen peroxide. Have a bottle on hand and always call before using it. Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435

If you decide to drink as part of your celebration this Christmas and New Year please remember to:

• Designate a driver ahead of time.
• Designated driver is a non-drinking driver.
• Take cab or public transportation.
• Make a reservation and spend the night.
• Consume food, sip your drinks, and alternate with non-alcoholic beverages.
• Ask your server about a ride home if you have been drinking to the point of impairment.
• Know Your Limits.