Page 29 - Indulge December/January 2015
P. 29
S FOR A SAFE
HOLIDAY SEASON
Ways to prevent fires at home
It’s no surprise that as the holiday season HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY TIPS DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015 • INDULGE | 29
approaches, family and friends gather to celebrate.
With more cooking, decorating and rituals that Look out for loved ones and prepare for the
include candles and open flames, the risk of house holiday ahead with these simple fire safety
fires and pediatric burn injuries increase drastically tips from Shriners Hospitals for Children:
during the month of December.
These holiday traditions can all lead to a HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
devastating house fire when there are young children in
the home. The U.S. Fire Administration reports there Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet
are approximately 128,700 fires during this festive away from heat sources such as fireplaces,
month that account for 415 deaths and 1,650 injuries. radiators, space heaters, candles or heat
vents. If you have a live tree in your home,
BURN AWARENESS keep it well-watered and remove it after the
holiday or when it becomes dry.
According to Dr. David Herndon, with Shriners
Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas, there are HOLIDAY LIGHTING
three types of pediatric burns that are common during
the holidays. They include scalds from steam or hot Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed
liquids, contact with heat or flames and electrical burns. wires, bare spots and excessive kinking or
Understanding these common injuries and how to avoid wear before use. Connect strings of lights to
them can help your family to stay safe this season. an extension cord before plugging the cord
into the outlet.
BE PREPARED
CANDLE CARE
To protect your loved ones, make sure your home
is equipped with working smoke alarms and fire Consider using battery-operated, flameless
extinguishers. The holiday season is a great time to candles. Never leave lit candles unattended.
change the batteries in your smoke alarms and to When using lit candles, make sure they are in
check fire extinguishers. stable holders and placed where they cannot be
knocked down easily.
Have an escape plan for your family and always
cook with care. Most importantly, if you or your child HOLIDAY COOKING
experiences a burn, immediately consult a physician.
Cooking is the primary cause of home
— Family Features fires and fire injuries, so keep an eye on
what you fry. Stand by your pan and turn
pot handles toward the back of the stove
so children cannot reach them. Wear short
sleeves or roll up long sleeves when cooking.
Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet nearby to
cover the pan if it catches on fire.
HOLIDAY SEASON
Ways to prevent fires at home
It’s no surprise that as the holiday season HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY TIPS DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015 • INDULGE | 29
approaches, family and friends gather to celebrate.
With more cooking, decorating and rituals that Look out for loved ones and prepare for the
include candles and open flames, the risk of house holiday ahead with these simple fire safety
fires and pediatric burn injuries increase drastically tips from Shriners Hospitals for Children:
during the month of December.
These holiday traditions can all lead to a HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
devastating house fire when there are young children in
the home. The U.S. Fire Administration reports there Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet
are approximately 128,700 fires during this festive away from heat sources such as fireplaces,
month that account for 415 deaths and 1,650 injuries. radiators, space heaters, candles or heat
vents. If you have a live tree in your home,
BURN AWARENESS keep it well-watered and remove it after the
holiday or when it becomes dry.
According to Dr. David Herndon, with Shriners
Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas, there are HOLIDAY LIGHTING
three types of pediatric burns that are common during
the holidays. They include scalds from steam or hot Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed
liquids, contact with heat or flames and electrical burns. wires, bare spots and excessive kinking or
Understanding these common injuries and how to avoid wear before use. Connect strings of lights to
them can help your family to stay safe this season. an extension cord before plugging the cord
into the outlet.
BE PREPARED
CANDLE CARE
To protect your loved ones, make sure your home
is equipped with working smoke alarms and fire Consider using battery-operated, flameless
extinguishers. The holiday season is a great time to candles. Never leave lit candles unattended.
change the batteries in your smoke alarms and to When using lit candles, make sure they are in
check fire extinguishers. stable holders and placed where they cannot be
knocked down easily.
Have an escape plan for your family and always
cook with care. Most importantly, if you or your child HOLIDAY COOKING
experiences a burn, immediately consult a physician.
Cooking is the primary cause of home
— Family Features fires and fire injuries, so keep an eye on
what you fry. Stand by your pan and turn
pot handles toward the back of the stove
so children cannot reach them. Wear short
sleeves or roll up long sleeves when cooking.
Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet nearby to
cover the pan if it catches on fire.
