Joe Whiteman, director of safety services The Voice Newsletter January 2023

With all good intentions, each year the holiday season brings an influx of fires, fall related injuries,and vehicular accidents. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recently reported two out offive holiday fire-related incidents are from decorations placed too close to heat sources. TheCenters for Disease Control (CDC) reported there were more than 5,800 holiday decoratingrelated fall injuries per season over the last three years, half ladder related. The number of motorvehicles on the roads increases dramatically during the holidays, and it is no surprise there is aspike in the number of car and truck accidents. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimated 371 people died during Christmas 2021 due to vehicular, travel related accidents.

• Below are tips to help you and your family stay safe during the holidays:
• Do not burn trees, wrapping paper or wreaths in the fireplace
• If you have a live tree, ensure it is fresh and keep watered.
• Check holiday light cords and ensure they are in good condition and appropriately rated forintended use.
• When using a ladder, ensure it is in good condition and appropriate for the task.
• Avoid setting your ladder up in slippery or wet conditions. If inclement weather arises, stopwork, and wait for weather to pass.
• Set ladders on a sturdy level surface and use the appropriate ladder to access your workarea.
• Ensure a step ladder is completely open with legs fully extended and locked out. Neveraccess the top two steps. If using a straight ladder, practice the 4:1 rule and ensure theladder is properly secured.
• Maintain three points of contact when using a ladder and never climb a ladder withsomething in your hands. Use a rope and a bucket to raise tools or materials.
• Never attempt to move a ladder while standing on it.
• Practice defensive driving and ensure your vehicle is prepared for winter conditions.
• Do not drink and drive; always designate a sober driver or use a taxi or Uber.
• Ensure everyone wears a seatbelt.
• Leave early to and from your destination to account for traffic or inclement weather.
• Minimize distractions while driving; avoid texting or using your cell phone unless it is handsfree.

The holiday season is a time to celebrate and enjoy time with friends and family. However, wemust understand the hazards surrounding the season. Statistics show we must stay vigilant andnot let our guard down when it comes to safety. With that, I would like to wish all of you HappyHolidays and be safe!