Happiest time of the year is also the most dangerous
Safety is an issue that burns as brightly as the most extravagantly decorated tree during the holidays, experts said, when families gather, parties are scheduled and travel spikes. While the holidays looked a lot different last year due to the pandemic, and the news of a recently-discovered, more virulent variant was announced this week, caution should be the norm, they advised, and there are many dangers associated with the season.
Another holiday risk factor is those unscrupulous solicitors determined to take advantage of the spirit of the season. Recently, the Canton Township Public Safety Department issued a caution to all area residents about the danger in these holiday solicitations.
“If you are contacted through the mail or via telephone asking for charitable support we encourage you to do your homework before donating to make sure the caller or requester is from a reputable organization. The below link can help you find out information about charities registered through the Better Business Bureau https://www.give.org/” the official statement read.
Officials added that telephone calls claiming to be awarding prizes to winners are also prevalent this year.
“Anyone who receives a telephone call from someone claiming that you have won a prize please do not send them any money. Scammers will ask you to load money onto gift cards and then send them the gift cards or the codes from the back of gift cards so that they can remove the funds from the cards.
Scammers may also send you checks to deposit into your account and then they will ask you to send the cash back to them. Later to find out that the check was fraudulent. Scammers are professional con artists, they are very convincing and pushy in their tactics. Once you give them money they will continue to contact you with excuses on why you owe them more money,” the statement added. “When in doubt hang up.”
“Canton residents are not exempt from falling for various different scams that are floating around out there. Remember that if you did not buy a ticket for the lottery or fill out the paperwork for the Publishers Clearing House then you did not win,” the warning concluded.
While many will choose to stay home this year, those who do travel, should be practice a list of safety precautions. Traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. In 2020, it is estimated 163 people died on New Year's Day, 485 on Thanksgiving Day, and for Christmas Day, it is estimated 340 lost their lives, according to Injury Facts. Alcohol impairment is involved in about a third of the fatalities. Travelers are advised to:
• Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you
• Get a good night's sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving
• Leave early, planning ahead for heavy traffic
• Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled
• Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit
• Practice defensive driving
• Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs can cause impairment
And while decorating is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, emergency rooms see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season. When decorating the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises:
• Keep potentially poisonous plants - mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis - away from children
• If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”
• If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water it and remove it from the home when it is dry
• Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways
• Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them
• Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights
• Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections
• Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket
• Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow
• Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house
The use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations in many homes during the holidays, means more risk for fire. The National Fire Protection Association reports that one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles and that two of every five decoration fires happen because the decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
• Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over and out of reach of children
• Keep matches and lighters up high and out of reach of children in a locked cabinet
• Use flameless, rather than lighted, candles near flammable objects
• Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fireplace
• Use a screen on the fireplace at all times when a fire is burning
• Never leave candles or fireplaces burning unattended or when you are asleep
• Check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at least once a year
The foodsafety.gov website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also has cautions about holiday food safety tips:
• Wash your hands frequently when handling food
• Keep raw meat away from fresh produce
• Use separate cutting boards, plates and utensils for uncooked and cooked meats to avoid cross-contamination
• Use a food thermometer to make sure meat is cooked to a safe temperature
• Refrigerate hot or cold leftover food within two hours of being served
• When storing turkey, cut the leftovers in small pieces so they will chill quickly
• Thanksgiving leftovers are safe for three to four days when properly refrigerated
Gifts and toys should inspire joy, not cause injuries. Thousands of children are seriously injured in toy-related incidents every year. Avoid safety hazards while gifting with these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
• Toys are age-rated for safety, not for children's intellect and physical ability, so be sure to choose toys in the correct age range
• Choose toys for children under 3 that do not have small parts which could be choking hazards
• For children under 10, avoid toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet
• Be cautious about toys that have button batteries or magnets, which can be harmful or fatal if swallowed
• When giving scooters and other riding toys, give the gift of appropriate safety gear, too; helmets should be worn at all times and they should be sized to fit
To find out about holiday toy safety and recalls, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
