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  3. Holiday Safety

Holiday Safety

Release Date: December 13, 2021

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate the holidays, it’s important to watch for possible dangers and risks. Consider the following tips to ensure this holiday season will be a safe one.

Decorating

  • If you have a live Christmas tree, make sure your tree has plenty of water.
  • If you prefer an artificial tree, look for the "fire resistant” label when purchasing your tree.
  • Keep burning candles in sight, away from flammable items, and blow them out before leaving the room.
  • Practice ladder safety while decorating your home.
  • Only use lights tested for safety by a nationally recognized laboratory. Throw out sets with broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.

Toys and Gifts

  • Follow age guidance and other safety information on the toy packaging and choose toys that match your child's interests and abilities.
  • Check the latest recall information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission before you make any purchases.
  • For scooters, hoverboards, and other riding toys, purchase and use safety gear like helmets and kneepads that are sized to each user.
  • Keep toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3.
  • Be careful with magnets. High-powered magnet sets are a safety risk to children, both toddlers and teens. Children have swallowed loose magnets, causing serious intestinal injuries.
  • Ensure stuffed toys have age-appropriate features such as embroidered or secured eyes, noses, and seams that are reinforced to withstand child’s play.

Cooking

  • Never leave cooking food unattended on the stove.
  • Keep flammable items, like potholders and paper or plastic bags, away from the stove and oven, and avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing when cooking.
  • Be cautious when frying turkey. Only fry a turkey outside and away from your home, not in the garage or on a porch. Do not overfill the oil in the fryer and be sure to thaw your turkey thoroughly and maintain control of the oil temperature.
  • Have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.
  • Make sure you have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas.
  • Follow safe food handling guidelines to ensure that your family feasts safely and avoids food poisoning.

For more information about avoiding potential dangers associated with common holiday products and traditions, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control [Link no longer valid, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html] for recommendations on keeping safe while gathering, traveling, and celebrating the holidays.

Last Updated: 12/11/2023
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