Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season

Decorate Safely

Decorating is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, but emergency rooms see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season.

When decorating follow these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• 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 your 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

Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared

While many will choose to stay home this year, if you do travel, be sure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest and be prepared for any emergency. Traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. Alcohol impairment is involved in about a third of the fatalities.

Stay safe on the roads over the holidays — and every day:

• 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

It's Better to Give Safely

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

The WAVE is the official publication for AFGE Local 2142. “Letters / Articles by the Editor” Do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Local. Letters / Articles are sometimes edited for brevity and clarity. Articles in the publication may be reprinted by any AFL-CIO affiliated with permission; however, we request notification and copies of the publication in which the articles will appear. We encourage you to send your comments, questions, and / or articles to: Local 2142 Editor, P.O. Box 18958, Corpus Christi TX 78480-8958 or email donneyzumwalt@yahoo.com