Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season

Posted by Lori Gelvin Wednesday, November 20, 2019 9:22:00 AM

Holiday safety is an issue that burns brightest from late November to mid-January, when families gather, parties are scheduled and travel spikes. Take some basic precautions to ensure your family remains safe and injury-free throughout the season.

Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared

Many people choose to travel by car during the holidays, which has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. In 2017, 329 people died on New Year's Day, 463 on Thanksgiving Day and 299 on Christmas Day, according to Injury Facts. Alcohol impairment was 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 preparedness 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

    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 lights 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

    Watch Out for Fire-Starters

    Candles and Fireplaces
    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 for 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.

    Turkey Fryers
    Be alert to the dangers if you're thinking of celebrating the holidays by frying a turkey. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there have been 154 turkey-fryer related fires, burns or other injuries since 2004, with $5.2 million in property damage losses resulting from these incidents.

    The National Safety Council discourages the use of turkey fryers at home and urges those who prefer fried turkey to seek out professional establishments or consider using an oil-less turkey fryer. If you must fry your own turkey, follow all U.S. Fire Administration turkey fryer guidelines.

    Food Poisoning Is No Joke

    Keep your holidays happy by handling food safely. The foodsafety.gov website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides some valuable holiday food safety tips:  

  • Wash your hands frequently when handling food

  • Keep raw meat away from fresh produce

  • Use separate cutting boards, plate 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

     

    It's Better to Give Safely

    Gifts and toys should inspire joy, not cause injuries. More than a quarter of a million children were seriously injured in toy-related incidents in 2017. Avoid safety hazards while gifting with these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and 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.

     

    Provided courtesy of National Safety Council

Wayne Insurance Group

For more than a century, the Wayne Insurance Group companies have delivered financial security and peace of mind for families, farms and businesses. As mutual insurance companies, we exist to serve the insurance needs of our policyholders. We have partnered with a network of independent agents to offer a full line of insurance programs backed by prompt, fair claims service and support.

Contact Us
Directions

Wayne Insurance Group
3873 Cleveland Road
Wooster, Ohio 44691

Tel: 330-345-8100 | Tol: 800-222-3873
Email: info@wayneinsgroup.com

Companies
Wayne Mutual Insurance Company

Founded in 1910, Wayne Mutual Insurance Company provides a wide range of property and casualty insurance programs for automobiles, homes, farms, investment properties, and businesses.

Washington Mutual Insurance Association

Since 1878, Washington Mutual Insurance Association has provided protection for homes, farms and personal property. Our products can be tailored to meet the specific needs of our policyholders.

Mid-State Farmers Mutual Insurance Company

Mid-State Farmers Mutual Insurance Company has been insuring homes and farms in Indiana since 1878, and remains committed to providing dependable protection, seeking creative solutions, and establishing synergetic relationships.