The holiday season is a time of cheer, joy and celebration at the same time there in an increased risk of accidents occurring in the home. Such accidents include: food poisoning, trips and falls and accidents involving Christmas trees.
Risks of fire hazards also increase at Christmas time due to increase number of hazards in the home.
Back in 2002, it was estimated that 1000 people visited A&E in the UK after accidents with Christmas trees and 350 people after home accidents involving fairy lights. Follow these top tips to reduce the risks of accident in and around your home this Christmas period.
Staying Safe whilst at home
- Take care in the kitchen if you’re having festive drinks
- Do not drink and drive
- Give yourself enough time to cook Christmas dinner – take care with hot fat, boiling water and sharp knives
- Wipe up spills quickly to avoid slips and falls
- Look out for small items posing a choking hazard to small children, including Christmas tree parts, burst balloons and button batteries
- Ensure children gifts are age appropriate and comply with safety standards
- Have scissors at the ready when opening presents; in case of awkward packaging to avoid using knives
- Avoid cluttering rooms, hallways and stairs
- Buy batteries ready for toys and gadgets Christmas morning, you won’t be tempted to take them from elsewhere such as the fire alarm
Christmas Decoration Safety
- Look for British kitemarks on all decorations this shows they have been safety tested
- Buy your decorations from a reputable store
- Always read the manufacturer’s instructions
- Keep your decorations away from heat sources and do not attach to lights or heaters
- Do not put on or around fireplaces and keep away from candles
- Always check Christmas lights for damage and never use damaged lights
- Never change a bulb when the lights are switched on
- Don’t run your fairy lights outside unless they are specifically made to be outdoors
- Beware of wires trailing across the floor or under carpets as they will become trip hazards
- If you have old Christmas light consider buying new ones, that comply with newer safety regulations
- Use a stable pair of ladders when hanging decorations and if possible get someone to help you
- Do not leave Christmas lights on when you leave the house or go to bed
- Avoid storing fairy lights in damp or excessively hot places
- Keep decorations out of reach of children
- Take extra care when boxing and unboxing decorations
Christmas Tree Safety
- Needles on a fresh Christmas tree should be green and hard to pull from the branches, if they aren’t the tree has dried out and become a fire hazard
- A fresh Christmas tree has a sticky trunk
- Do not place your tree by a heat source
- Always keep the tree stand filled with water
- Don’t leave a live Christmas tree up for more than two weeks, as it will start to dry out
- Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove as pine trees release deadly gasses
- When a tree becomes dry discard of it promptly, many local councils provide a solution at the local recycling centre
Icy Path Safety
- Is there enough lighting around your home?
- Clear any fallen leaves that are wet or starting to decay – major slip hazard
- When fitting, external paths ensure they are created with anti-slip material
- Avoid cutting across grass or dirt as these will be slippery when wet
- Monitor the temperature and if very cold temperatures are likely prepare accordingly
- Never use hot water to clear ice, use grit
- Wear sturdy footwear with good grip
- Check and ensure elderly relatives and neighbours are ice free
Fire Safety Within the Home
- Test your smoke alarm weekly
- Keep matches, lighters and candles out of reach of children
- Do no leave the oven/hob on unattended
- Check on elderly relatives and neighbours and ensure they are fire safe
- Do not leave candles burning unattended
- Keep decorations and cards away from heat sources
- Do not overload plug sockets
- A Christmas tree can burn rapidly and fill a room with deadly gasses
- Keep fairy lights clear of decorations and other flammables
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