HOLIDAY SAFETY

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HOLIDAY SAFETY
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The Stats

• 8,700 people injured each year
• Falls
• Cuts
• Shocks
• 400 fires annually
• 20 deaths
• 70 injuries
• 15M in property loss and damage

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Tree Safety

• NEVER use candles to decorate trees
• Unsafe practice of the past, but still done for
  traditions sake!
• If you must do it.never leave unattended
• Water cut trees daily
• Rule of thumb 1 qt water per 1 diameter per day
  (initially)
• Dispose of tree immediately after season ends
  before the needles dry out
• NEVER place near heat source
• Space heater, fire place, radiators, etc.

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Tree Safety (cont)

• Artificial trees
• Look for Fire Resistant label
• May still catch fire, but will resist burning and
  extinguish quickly
• NEVER use electric lights on metallic tree
• Faulty lights may charge the metal
• Electrocution may result
• Use Non-tip style tree stands
• Avoid lead-based decorations
• Hazardous to children if ingested

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Cords - A Few Basic Tips

• If in doubt, simply feel the cord after power has
  been applied for 20-30 minutes
• If its warm to the touch, decrease the load!
• Use of an Amp Clamp to measure exact loads is
  safest method
• Avoid daisy-chaining multiple cords and light
  strands
• Not because OSHA frowns on it, but because you
  will run a higher risk of fire, overload, etc.
• Keep it Simple. Keep it Safe.

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General Lighting Safety

• Use only lights tested by recognized testing
  laboratory (ie. UL approved)
• Check light strands for broken sockets, frayed or
  bare wires, or loose connections
• NEVER use indoor lights outside
• Green label indoor use Red outdoor
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave
  the house
• For added shock/electrocution protection
• Plug lights into circuits protected by Ground
  Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)

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Holiday Shopping Safety

• Busiest Shopping Season For Thieves Too!
• Shop with a friend
• Dont flash large amounts of cash
• Lock your car dont leave anything in plain
  sight (use the trunk)
• Dont park next to vans where thieves can hide
• Park under a light at night if possible
• Check the back seat before getting in your car
• Dont overburden yourself with packages
• Stay alert to your surroundings

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Safety At Parties

• PARTY THROWERS
• Offer non-alcoholic drinks for designated
  drivers
• Collect car keys when guests arrive
• Offer to let over-doers to stay over
• Provide plenty of deep ash trays for smokers
• Check under upholstery in trashcans for
  smoldering butts
• PARTY GOERS
• Have a designated driver plan stick to it!
• Take a Taxi if youve overdone it
• Dont let friends drive drunk!

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Toy Buying Safety

• Select Toys to suit age, abilities, skills the
  childs interest
• For infants toddlers avoid toys with small
  parts (choking)
• Dont buy electric toys with heating elements
  for kids under 8
• Read the label and use the age guidelines for
  that toy
• Look for sturdy construction and tightly secured
  small parts
• Discard plastic wrappings immediately
  (suffocation hazard)
• Call CSPC hotline [phone] to report
  dangerous toys
• Check CSPC recall list on the internet
  http//www.cpsc.gov

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Holiday Cooking Safety

• COOKING
• When cooking, keep appliances clean (Grease
  Fires)
• Never leave cooking unattended
• Keep flammables away from the stove
• Never wear loose fitting sleeves around stove
  burners
• Heat oils slowly, have a lid ready for flash
  fires
• Dont open the door on a microwave fire
• Have a fire extinguisher available in the
  Kitchen
• Dont overload electrical circuits

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Cold Weather
Cold weather survival can be assured by living
the acronym C. O. L. D.

Cleanliness and care. Clothing, feet and socks
must be kept free of dirt and oils. Overheating.
Overheating robs heat through sweat and results
in dehydration and coldness. Loose and layered.
Clothing should be in layers to facilitate
circulation and insulation. Dry. Keep clothes
and socks dry.
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Cold Weather
Hypothermia

• The human body is unable to maintain core temp
• Low body temp affects the brain
• Usually occurs at very low temps, but anything
  below 40 poss.
• Cold water, chilled sweat or rain will hasten
  effects

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Cold Weather
Hypothermia Symptoms
Adults Children

• Shivering / Exhaustion
• Confusion / Fumbling
• Memory Loss
• Slurred Speech
• Drowsiness

• Bright red and cold skin
• Very low energy

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Cold Weather
Hypothermia 1st Aid

• This is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY
• Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention!
• Take temp and warm them if lower than 95
• Get victim into warm area and remove wet
  clothing
• Victim needs a heat source (Stove, heater, etc.
  Caution burns)
• Warm center of body first (raise core
  temperature)
• Warming beverages to conscious victims (NO
  BOOZE!)
• After temp increase, keep person dry and warm
  (head neck)
• If victim appears dead, give CPR until
  resuscitation

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Cold Weather
Auto Tips

• Plan extra time for travel
• Drive DEFENSIVELY!
• If skidding, DO NOT brake! Turn wheels in
  direction of skid DO NOT OVERSTEER!
• Be aware of black ice. Bridges and overpasses
  may be icy while other parts of the road are not
• If youre stuck, STAY WITH YOUR AUTO!
• If stuck, make sure snow/mud is clear of exhaust
  pipe
• Run engine only 10min/hr for heat. Keep window
  vented
• STAY AWAKE!
• Tie bright colored cloth to antenna and door
  handle
• Wrap entire body with blankets to stay warm

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This

This
Or
Following The Rules Makes Life So Much Easier
And Safer