The season of excitement is upon us as many look forward to gathering with family and friends for the holidays. This is particularly true for those we might have missed seeing last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate this holiday season, keeping health and safety top of mind is essential to keep your home safe and avoid hospital visits.
“Every year, we see patients over the holidays who come in as a result of household or other holiday-related accidents that could be avoided if they followed a few safety tips,” says Tim Jones, CEO of Heart of Texas Healthcare System. “Exercising care and caution can avoid disaster.”
According to Jones, most accidents fall into five major categories: home, electrical, fire, cooking and dining, and travel. He says keeping these categories in mind can help ensure the health and safety of you and your loved ones this holiday season.
Keep your household safe
If you have an artificial Christmas tree, ensure it is labeled “fire-resistant” before placing lights and other electrical items on it. Remember to keep Christmas trees, whether natural or artificial, at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources.
The holidays also bring dangerous situations for children and poisonous plants. If your home has plants like mistletoe, holly bushes (with berries), and amaryllis, consider removing them or keeping them out of reach from children, especially infants and toddlers.
When it comes to COVID-19, keeping a rapid at-home test kit on-hand is always ideal. According to Jones, these test kits can provide a convenient way to ensure whether any coronavirus-related symptoms you or a loved one may experience are something to cause concern.
Use electrical equipment safely
When it comes to holiday lights, always inspect indoor and outdoor products for broken bulbs or sockets, frayed or exposed wires, and loose connections. Additionally, it would help if you never overloaded electrical outlets with too many devices. Overloaded sockets can increase fire hazard risks.
When it comes to all holiday lighting, it is recommended that you only turn them on while at home. This is especially true for Christmas trees.
Many house fires during the holidays can be attributed to faulty electrical equipment on Christmas trees and other holiday decorations.
Fireplace safety
Fireplaces are a cozy way to warm your home during the cold winter months. If your home has a fireplace, remember always to use a screen to cover a burning fire to keep embers and flames from jumping out.
Keeping flammable materials at least three feet away from an open fire is highly recommended; this includes holiday stockings that may be hanging above a fireplace or gifts that may be placed near a fireplace. Most importantly, never leave a fireplace unattended. This includes leaving your home with the fireplace in use or going to sleep without first putting out the fire.
Keeping a fire extinguisher nearby is always recommended to help put out any fires that may occur in your household.
Cooking and dining safety
Before working with food, always wash your hands for at least 30 seconds before, after, and frequently while preparing meals.
Raw meat should always be stored away from other foods. When heating or cooking meals, a food thermometer is critical to ensure meats and dishes reach a safe internal temperature.
Leftovers should rarely be kept longer than four days without extra preparation or precautions taken to ensure their longevity.
Travel safety
Every holiday brings an increased amount of travel, especially during the winter holiday season.
If you are traveling on the road, remember to ensure that you and all passengers wear a seat belt. Check local weather conditions for your route and adjust your speed accordingly, especially in wet, ice, and snowy conditions.
Remember to have a designated driver if you plan to drink alcohol if attending holiday parties. Know your limits and consider making alternate travel arrangements if necessary.
“Of course, not all accidents can be avoided,” Jones explains. “If an unfortunate event occurs, rest assured that the emergency department at Heart of Texas Healthcare System is open 24/7.”
In the event of a medical or fire emergency, always call 9-1-1.
To learn more about local healthcare services and providers, visit www.heartoftexashealthcare.org.
About Heart of Texas Healthcare System
Heart of Texas Healthcare System provides healthcare for residents of McCulloch County and the surrounding area. Founded in 2011, the system offers many medical services, including 24-hour emergency care, advanced radiology services, a clinical laboratory, dialysis services, physical therapy, surgical services, patient education, sleep studies, and more. The system also owns and operates Brady Medical Clinic, which provides family medicine, preventive care, and acute care for minor emergencies. For additional information, please visit www.heartoftexashealthcare.org.