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CPSC Releases Holiday Safety Tips for Avoiding Fires and Injuries
Holiday Preparedness Calendar
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The scene is all too familiar --
frenzied parents rushing through packed-to-the-ceiling aisles searching
for
the perfect gifts and decorations to celebrate their holiday festivities.
With all of the decorating, gift giving and festivity fanfare, making your
holiday safe for children will be the most important preparation of all.
"It's easy to become caught up in the excitement of holiday
decorating and
overlook potential hazards of decorations," says Gina Duchossois, Chair
of the
SAFE KIDS Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania led by The Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia. "Whether you're putting up a Christmas tree or
lighting the Menorah or Kwanzaa candles, taking simple precautions can
help
make your holidays more joyful and safe."
The SAFE KIDS Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania led by The
Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia recommends the following tips to keep your
holiday
season safe:
Lights and Candles
- Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved
lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires,
loose
connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords.
Use
no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and
never
run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure
electrical
cords so that children cannot pull on them and topple the tree.
Keep
toddlers away from electrical fixtures and install outlet covers on
electrical sockets when they are not in use. Avoid small plastic
outlet covers as they may pose a choking hazard.
- Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or
leave
the tree in an unattended room.
- Keep burning candles out of children's reach; keep matches and
lighters
out of sight and locked away. Do not leave candles unattended.
Teach children not to touch burning candles.
- Do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily
catch
fire. If you build a fire, use a fireplace screen and do not leave
young children alone in the room. Make sure you put out fires and
candles when you go to bed or leave the home.
- Install smoke alarms in your home on every level and in every
sleeping
area. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least
once
a year. Home fires and home fire-related deaths are more likely to
occur during the cold-weather months.
- Plan and practice several fire escape routes from each room of your
home and identify an outside meeting place.
Christmas Trees
- If you choose to buy a natural tree, look for the freshest tree
available. Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire than older
trees.
- Keep your natural tree in a container full of water and check it
daily.
- Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not
fall over.
- Cover the tree basin with a tree skirt or blanket.
- Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators
and
heating vents.
- Cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small
children.
- Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put breakable
ornaments, ornaments with small, detachable parts, metal hooks, or
those that look like food or candy on the lower branches where
small
children can reach them. Also, make sure tree lights are hung out
of
reach of young children.
- Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper
in
your fireplace.
- Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.
For more information, Gina Duchossois of The Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia for the SAFE KIDS Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania,
215-590-5437
.
Date: Dec. 6, 2000
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