3 minute read
Ten Holiday Safety Tips to Keep the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Wonderful
The holiday season is here, and AdventHealth Avista Emergency Room physician, Rebecca Kornas, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, has ten tips to help keep you and your loved ones’ holiday season merry, bright, and out of the ER. Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of residential fires? According to Consumer Productivity Commission data, there are more than 360,000 home fires every year, resulting in about 2,400 deaths and 10,400 injuries annually.
1. Whether you’re hosting a holiday get-together or making a side dish, make sure you don’t leave your cooking unattended. Keep flammable items like potholders and towels away from stove burners.
2. Although little helpers are great to have in the kitchen, children should stay at least three feet away from the stove. Keep hazardous items like knives, cords, and hot food and liquids out of reach.
3. Should a fire ignite, do not pour water on it. Place a lid over the pan to smother the fire and turn off the stovetop. Baking soda can also be helpful in extinguishing small grease fires. If the fire is in the oven, keep the oven door closed and turn it off if you can safely do so.
Holiday decorations are another common fire starter. Deck your halls safely by:
4. Exercising extreme caution on ladders. Throughout the holiday season, there are around 160 decorating injuries each day with nearly half of those incidents involving falls. Be sure that your ladder is set up correctly, and make sure you are wearing closed toed, sturdy shoes with tied laces.
5. Being mindful of your tree. If you buy a live Christmas tree, make sure it’s fresh and keep it watered. If you buy an artificial tree, ensure that there is a label saying the tree is fire-resistant.
6. Checking your holiday light cords to make sure they aren’t frayed or broken. Additionally, ensure that there are only three stands plugged into each extension cord.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when buying gifts for kids:
7. Follow age guidance and other safety information as toys may include small items that could be choking hazards (ie Barbie accessories or small Legos). One common choking hazard that may be surprising is deflated balloons – keep away from children under age eight.
8. If you are buying a child a bike, scooter, or other riding toy, make sure to also provide them with proper safety gear. Helmets in particular can help prevent serious injuries.
Other common holiday related injuries we see are cuts and injuries from low-height falls.
9. This time of year, we handle all sorts of sharp objects. Around 13% of holiday injuries are cuts. Whether you’re opening gifts, slicing turkey or roast, or trimming trees, be sure to take your time, keep your other hand away from the area you are cutting, and cut with the blade facing away from your body.
10. Tripping on toys, cords, and decorations is another common injury we see in the ER, particularly in adults age 65 and older (one in four falling each year). Wear shoes with traction, watch your step, and use extra caution when you’re carrying something that makes it hard to see where you’re going.
We hope you and your loved ones stay safe while enjoying the holidays this year, but should you need us, the emergency department at AdventHealth Avista is always ready to care for you.
Visit https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/ adventhealth-avista/emergency-care
