Have accident-free holidays this year
Each year, millions of Americans celebrate the holiday season by cooking large family meals and decorating their homes to show off their holiday spirit. Thanksgiving is and has long been the leading day of the year for house fires, followed by Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, usually caused by unattended cooking. And during the Christmas season, putting up and taking down holiday decorations are the leading causes of seasonal injuries. The holidays are busy times; keep them from being more stressful by following these holiday safety tips:
Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire
- Pay attention to fire hazards in the kitchen and be aware of how to handle them
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
- Supervise children when they are in the kitchen
- Clean up excess grease on the stovetop
- Check the “Use-by” or “Sell-by” dates for food
- Clean your hands before and after preparing foods with warm water and soap
- Keep raw meats from cross-contaminating other foods by cooking the meat last
- Make sure meats are cooked at least to the proper internal temperatures
- Raw red meats – 145°F (62.8°C)
- Ground Red Meats – 160°F (71.1°C)
- Poultry – 165°F (73.9°C)
- Do not leave out raw cookie dough to prevent salmonella
Deck the Halls
- If you use a real tree, keep it watered by setting the base in a stand with water
- Check light strings for broken bulbs or frayed cords
- Make sure the decorations do not pose a tripping hazard
- Do not overload an electrical outlet or extension cord with too many lights
- Move the ladder instead of reaching to prevent falling
- Clean the fireplace before lighting any fires
Over the River And Through The Woods
- Drive safely, especially in snowy conditions
- Pay attention to winter weather advisories
- Have supplies for long road trips
- If you’re flying, know and follow airline regulations when packing
- Give yourself some extra time so that you are not rushing
- If you’re traveling for an extended period of time, consider using timers to give the appearance of the home being occupied
- Have a neighbor pick up your mail or have the post office hold your mail for the duration of your trip
The holidays are a time for joy and family. Set aside a few minutes, away from the hustle and bustle of holiday preparation, and remind your friends and family to take safety precautions. Keep the holidays memorable for the right reasons.
At Nova Medical Centers we specialize in Occupational Health. From our superb services to our convenient electronic systems, we provide instant, personalized care for employees who have suffered work-related injuries.
