Home Safety Precautions for Christmas Season

Every Christmas holiday season, both fire departments and medical personnel go out on an increased amount of calls. The biggest dangers are falls and electrocutions from putting up Christmas lights as well as fires caused by cooking and improperly used or maintained Christmas decorations. Unnecessary tragedy is faced by families during what is supposed to be a joyous time due to shortcuts taken in safety measures and protective equipment.

Avoiding Holiday Injuries

Cooks get burned with grease and hot pans in busy kitchens. Small hand towels, paper towels and other combustible objects go up in a flash when they are left next to an electric or gas cooking appliance. Items being cooked on the stove burst into flame when a cook is distracted and walks away. This makes kitchens a prime place to keep a large commercial type fire extinguisher rated for multiple types of fires. In addition, adding a photocell type smoke detector that minimizes false alarms in cooking areas is also a good idea.

Falls from rooftops happen every year when Christmas decorations are being put up. Surfaces in some areas of the country may be slick with ice and snow. Falls from ladders also occur. Always use an appropriate ladder when putting up lights and decorations. Never overreach. Take the time to get off the ladder to reposition it. Always have a helper to steady the ladder and to keep strings of lights from getting tangled in the rungs of the ladder.

Electrical Safety Equipment and Concerns for Holiday Decorations

Every string of lights connected, whether inside or outside, needs to be plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacle. Most newer homes have outdoor plugs that are GFCI rated. Each plug has a test button to confirm the protection circuit is working. Press the test button, and the GFCI should trip. GFCI units can be purchased as part of an extension cord or as a standalone product.

The tiny lights on most Christmas decorations do not look as if they will consume much power. However, outdoor decorations usually involve several different displays with many strings of lights. Light strings have a limit as to how many can be safely connected together as one continuous string. Adding more than the recommended amount of lights to a string can cause the wires to overheat, melt and short circuit. This is an electrocution and fire hazard.

Always check every bulb on every string and decoration. A broken bulb can arc across a bare filament and spark a fire, especially when they are strung on old decorations. A broken cord can also cause a spark or shock someone. Inspect every decoration with lights for any flaws.

Decorative Candle Hazards

Many decorations have a spot for a votive, pillar or stick candle. Most Christmas decorations follow a theme of pine, holly and other materials that are both natural and synthetic. All of these burn quite easily when touched by an open flame. Be sure to never be out of sight of any lit candle regardless of what type of container or candle holder it is in. Also, never place a candle where it can come in contact with combustibles such as curtains or be knocked over by a person or pet. Glass candle holders can break. It is safer to place a glass candle holder on a fireproof metal surface such as a pie plate.

The holiday season truly is “the most wonderful time of the year.” Do not let it be spoiled by an accident or injury that is caused by neglecting safety procedures or cutting corners on safety equipment. Be smart and careful. Destroy and throw out old decorations with lights that are no longer safe. Do not overdo the decorating, and always have someone in the kitchen when cooking is in progress.

Danger in Your Childs Crib: Bumper Pads

Research published in “Pediatrics” has linked crib bumper pads to at least 27 infant deaths between 1985 and 2005. So it seems that using the pillow like bedding accessory is a thing of the past.  The pads can present a real danger to your child and it is said that a bare crib is much safer than using the bumper pads.

Kidsafe recommends that you DO NOT USE BUMPER PADS  as they pose a real threat when it comes to suffocation, choking, and falling hazards.

It is recommended that you immediately get rid of bumper pads you may have in your childs crib – as it is proven that they have caused death in infants and serve as a step up for an older child possibly causing a spill from the crib.

They do sell mesh bumper pads which may not present the same danger as the pillow pads - but no research shows that they eliminate the problem of suffocation all together.

Also there is no evidence that shows that a bare crib presents a danger for your baby when it comes to them pushing up against the rails.

All in all, it’s a good idea to remove the bumper pads and place your baby on his/her back when sleeping.  Bumper pads, sleep positioners and other bedding create a suffocation risk and may cause the risk of SIDS. Research shows that air flow is a factor in SIDS, and bumper pads can create a risk of mechanical suffocation and reduce airflow in the crib.

So now go – empty that crib, and then enjoy your baby!  Crib Safety Products

The staff at Kidsafe

 

Child Safety Gate Video

I found a good video on Child Safety Gates from Consumer Reports.  Here is the Link.

 

Parents should secure their TV’s, furniture, and appliances

The CPSC recently urged parents to secure their TV’s, furniture, and appliances to prevent tip-over accidents.  Between 2000 and 2008 there were nearly 200 reported deaths involving young children.  Injuries and death can occur when a child climbs onto,  falls against,  or pulls themselves up on television stands,  bookcases,  dressers,  desks,  chests, and appliances.  You can learn more here: http://www.cpsc.gov/onsafety/2010/09/prevent-a-tv-fall-in-your-house/

Anti-tip TV Strap

 

Lithium Cell Battery Dangers

There was recently 2 articles in the medical journal Pediatrics documenting the increased dangers from lithium cell batteries for young children.  Lithium cells batteries are the small round silver “button” batteries used for remote controls, toys and electronics.   Ingestion of the batteries is a surprisingly common problem, and could be serious for small children, who can put almost anything in their mouth.  In recent years there has been a sevenfold increase in severe complications from button cell ingestions.

Federal safety rules require toys that use batteries to have battery compartments that screw shut, but devices for adults do not have that restriction.  The batteries that pose the greatest risk are those that begin with the  number 20 which stands for 20 millimeters. They are newer and stronger than older models.

Huge Multiple Manufacturer Recall of Drop Side Cribs

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced yesterday the recalls for seven manufacturers of drop-side cribs. The brands involved are Child Craft, Delta,  Evenflo,  Jardine,  LaJobi, Million Dollar Baby, and Simmons. Coupled with earlier recalls this year for other drop-side cribs from Simplicity and Graco parents should make sure their crib is not affected.  Go to www.cpsc.gov to learn more.

The Ten Biggest Choking Hazards for Young Kids

As you know, some foods are a choking  hazard for young children.  A 2008 study listed the 10 that were rated as the most dangerous: hot dogs, peanuts, carrots, boned chicken, candy, meats, popcorn, fish with bones, sunflower seeds, and apples.  It is vitally important to slice and cut all foods into small chew-able bites.  Do not cut hot dogs into nickel sized chunks. Food should be no bigger than 1/2″ in any direction.  You may want to consider using the Safe Sizer Choking Prevention Plate which has an integral  raised 1/2″ diameter ring which gives parents a visual reminder needed for food size.

Today Show features Home Safety

The “Today Show” had a nice story today on home safety and baby proofing.  It showed some typical hazards in the home and some products to make the home safer for small kids.  Video Link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/33962485#33962485

Safety Saturday at Lowe’s

This Saturday September 26th is Safety Saturday hosted by Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores and sponsored by the Home Safety Council.  Lowe’s stores throughout the country will have local Fire Departments and safety professionals talking about fire and home safety issues.  Fire trucks will be available for the kids and most locations have giveaways. KidSafe will participating at the store in Cotati, CA.  To find a location near you click here.

Baby Bassinet Recall

The government warned parents recently about the recall of Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible Bedside Bassinets. They have metal bars covered by fabric which are spaced farther apart than federal standards.  If the fabric is not properly attached it can be dangerous. It is reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that several children have died as a result of these problems.  All the bassinets made before May 18, 2008 have been recalled.  They can be returned where purchased.