Christmas Holiday Safety
It is important to remain safe at work, of course, but statistics show that individuals are far more likely to be injured on their own time. The holiday season is in full swing, and the following tips can help keep everyone at home.
COOKING SAFETY
Cooking continues to be one of the leading causes of fires during the holiday season.
• Always stay in the kitchen when cooking. Never leave cooking unattended.
• A large number of fires start in the kitchen from cooking with oil. Be careful when deep-frying foods. The safest way is to use a temperature controlled skillet or deep-fat fryer appliance.
• Never try to extinguish a cooking oil fire with water. Keep a lid close by that can be used to smother a fire if one starts.
CHRISTMAS TREES
Fresh tree tips:
• Fresh Christmas trees must remain healthy throughout the holiday season. Start by choosing a tree with a strong green colour and noticeable fragrance. Look for fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
• A tree with high moisture content is safer and very few needles should fall when the base of the tree is tapped on the ground.
• Make sure the tree is properly secured with a strong stand so that doesn’t lean or fall over.
• A dried-out tree becomes a fire hazard and will ignite very quickly. Place the tree in a stand that will hold 2-3 litres of water and check water level daily.
• Dispose of the tree as soon as the holidays are over, or as soon as the needles start to fall. Dispose of it according to local regulations — most municipalities have tree recycling programs.
Artificial tree tips
• If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified or identified as fire-retardant.
Whether it’s fresh or artificial, keep the tree a safe distance from any heat sources like a fireplace, radiator, candle, heat vent or lights. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
LIGHT SAFETY
• Use Christmas lights that have the mark of an accredited certification agency such as CSA, cUL or cETL and make sure that they are used correctly. They should be labelled for indoor or outdoor use.
Discard any strings of lights with worn/broken cords or loose bulb connections. Check for kinks, damage to the wire and loose connections – when plugging in a cord, make sure it fits snug inside the outlet.
• Never run electrical cords or extension cords through or across doorways where they may be pinched or trip someone, or under carpets where they can be damaged or overheat.
• Do not overload power bars. Ensure they are CSA approved.
• LED light strings are energy-efficient, produce very little heat and reduce the risk of fire. Not only are they safer to use but they will also cost less on power bills as they use less energy.
• Turn off holiday lights before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Never leave a lit candle unattended. Blow out all candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Burning candles need to be at least 1ft away from anything that can burn.
• Keep lit candles safely away from children and pets.
TRAVEL
• Ensure your vehicle is well-equipped for winter travel before hitting the road. Have your vehicle serviced before leaving on a long road trip.
• Allow extra time in your travels to avoid rushing.
• Decrease driving speeds when driving in snow or icy conditions, and wait for snowplows and sanding trucks to clear the roadways before hitting the road.
• Keep a safety kit in your vehicle: first aid supplies, flashlight, jumper cables, blankets, non-perishable foods and water, flares/other warning devices. You should also include an ice scraper and small shovel
• Schedule your travel to avoid to avoid driving during normal sleep hours. Plan for a 15-minute rest stop every two hours
• Consult weather apps and highway hotlines as necessary
• If you’re travelling alone, keep in contact with one or two individuals every couple of hours so that they are aware of your location.
Happy Holidays
