MEDICAL SURFARI: PRACTICING DAFETY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

As we sit in the warmth of our own homes, sipping a cup of hot chocolate and wishing for a white Christmas, we unconsciously enjoy a sense of safety and security. The holiday season is a time of many changes in our routines and it comes with lots of holiday parties, home cooking, decorations, candles, plants and the exchange of gifts. Each of these contributes positively to our overall holiday experience providing that the mirth and merriment of celebration does not obscure a little judicious safety mindedness.

Many homes are decorated with Christmas trees and certainly a real tree will grace your home with beauty and leave it scented with pine; but a real tree can also pose a fire hazard.

If you prefer a fresh tree, look for one that is green and whose needles do not drop when the trunk is forcefully tapped against the pavement. Look for a trunk with sticky sap. Cut off about two inches of the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy water-holding stand. The water should be treated with a preservative and the water level should be checked daily so that the tree does not dry out quickly. Keep your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources that may dry it out or cause it to ignite.

Before decorating with indoor or outdoor lights check the lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections and replace or repair these. Use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord and on outdoor lights use extension cords designed for outdoors. Indoors, place extension cords against the wall to avoid tripping hazards and do not run them under rugs. Turn off all lights on trees and decorations before turning in for the night or leaving the house. Never use lighted candles near your tree, boughs, curtains, drapes or other flammable items. If you decorate with "angel hair" (spun glass) take precautions to prevent skin and eye irritation by wearing gloves and protective eyewear and, be especially careful with artificial snow as these sprays can irritate your lungs if you accidentally inhale them.

During the holidays seasonal plants often grace our homes and for small children these may look good enough to eat. Some plants are poisonous and others may cause severe stomach problems so watch out for mistletoe, holly berries, poinsettias, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis. These are all beautiful plants that are best kept out of the reach of children.

Fireplaces and wood stoves get a lot of use during the holiday season and sometimes people burn wrapping paper; however, in some cases this may contain metallic or plastic materials and the fumes may be toxic. Never try to burn evergreens or wreaths in the fireplace or wood stove as they are often very dry and they may flare out of control.

Some toys have been linked to too many injuries.

Two-thirds of all toys sold in the United States in any one year are sold during the holiday season and appropriate selection during this time can greatly reduce toy-associated injuries and deaths. It is not uncommon for parents to buy toys based on a child's wish list, but for the child's sake toy safety should be considered before making any final decision. When selecting toys, keep in mind the child's age, interests and skill level and look for quality construction and design.

For more information on toy safety and other child safety issues you may contact the Cape Girardeau area Safe Kids Coalition at 651-5815.

World Wide Web Resource

National Safety Council

www.nsc.org/lrs/lib/fs/communit/holseasn.htm

The safety council has several web pages devoted to holiday season safety, including fact sheets on holiday safety, Christmas tree tips and even cold weather safety.