|
|
Winter and Holiday Safety Tips
When winter and the holidays approach, it's a good idea to remember these safety tips
to help keep the season worry-free and enjoyable.
Fire Prevention Tips
The United States Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection
Agency recommend the following safety tips this holiday season:
- Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned.
Chimney tar build-up can ignite your chimney, roof and the whole house.
- Space heaters need space. Keep combustibles at least three feet
away from each other.
- Use caution with holiday decorations and whenever possible, choose
those made with flame-resistant, flame retardant or non-combustible materials.
- Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials
and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
- Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots,
gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive
kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed
by an approved testing laboratory.
- Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not link more than three
light strands, unless directions indicate that it is safe. Connect
strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.
- Do not leave holiday lights unattended.
- Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace. Wrapping paper can throw
off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home that could
cause an explosion.
- Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer
than two weeks. Make certain tree stands are filled with water at all
times and do not smoke near an indoor tree.
- Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace
or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more
easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks.
- If you are using an artificial tree make sure that it is flame retardant.
- Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S.
When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
The National Fire Protection Association also recommends that you:
- Install a smoke alarm near bedrooms and on each floor of your
home. Test it monthly. If it has a 9-volt battery, change the battery once a year.
- Install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm near bedrooms and on each floor
of your home. The alarm must meet the requirements of the current UL
standard 2034 or IAS 6-96. If your alarm sounds, leave the house immediately
and dial 911 or your local fire department. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a
colorless, odorless gas that interferes with oxygen availability throughout
the body. Exposed individuals and physicians may not recognize some symptoms
as CO poisoning, due to their similarity with viral illnesses such as influenza.
Individuals with heart disease, chronic respiratory ailments such as emphysema
and anemia have increased susceptibility to CO poisoning. Low levels of CO can
cause fatigue and chest pain in people with chronic heart disease. As CO
exposures increase, symptoms progressively worsen through headaches, drowsiness,
nausea, vomiting, confusion and disorientation. At very high CO exposures,
loss of consciousness and death are possible.
Stay Warm This Winter
When outdoors, remember to dress warmly. Wear loose-fitting, layered,
lightweight clothing. Layers can be removed to prevent perspiration and
chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellant. Mittens
are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each
other. Remember to protect your lungs from extreme cold air by covering your
mouth when outdoors.
Don't Overdo
If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up
your body. Also take frequent breaks. Cold weather puts an added strain
on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow can bring on a
heart attack or make medical conditions worse.
In Case of Disaster or Emergency
Always keep disaster supplies on hand, in case of power outages and
other emergencies. Things you should keep around the house include:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- One-week supply of essential prescription medication
- Extra blankets and sleeping bags
- Fire extinguisher (A-B-C) type
Remember in the case of an emergency always call 911 or contact your local
police station or fire department.
Sources:
[back to top]
[back to Senior Resources]
|
|