A Wish for Happy Holidays and a Reminder for Holiday Safety
Joe Whiteman, director of safety services  12-2020

 We are nearing the end of 2020 and welcoming the holiday season; time to spend with friends and family, along with participating in holiday traditions. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few holiday safety statistics to help keep your mind focused on safety as you celebrate.

• Christmas tree and holiday decoration fires result in twice the injuries and five times more fatalities than the average winter fire.
• 50% of Christmas tree fires are due to candles or faulty lights or a tree placed too close toa heat source.
• Cooking-related house fires peak during the holiday season.
• The average temperature of oil used in a turkey fryer can cause burns up to 3rd degree.
• Roughly 5,800 people per year are treated in emergency rooms for falls associated with holiday decorations. More than half of these injuries are falls from ladders or roofs.
• Roughly 2000 people each year are treated for lacerations and sprains due to tripping overextension cords.

As we celebrate our holiday traditions it’s important not to leave safety at the office. The old saying goes, safety does not start and stop at the end of the shift. As ASCC members, we strive for safety to be part of all facets of our day, including at home.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind as we head into the holidays:

• Only hang indoor lights indoors, and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the correct ladder for the task.
• Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over and out of reach of children.
• Always use a screen on the fireplace when a fire is burning.
• Wash your hands frequently when handling food.
• Choose gifts appropriate for a child’s ability. Think beyond the gift itself. If a gift requires protective equipment, be sure to include it with the gift.
• Be sure to identify a designated driver should alcohol be consumed at a celebration or utilize a car service.
• Continue to practice safe distancing, wash your hands regularly and follow guidelines forCOVID-19 protocols.
• Lastly, if you are feeling the slightest bit ill, do not expose others until you are feeling well or have been tested to ensure you are not inadvertently exposing others.

With that being said, I’d like to wish you all a very safe and happy holiday.