Holiday survival guide: Behind the cheer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kaleb Snay
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Safety may not be the first thing on many people's mind because of how easy it is to get caught up in festivities, decorating and preparations. No matter what you celebrate or what you believe in, holiday safety will keep the injuries low and the holiday cheer high.

According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates, there were 15,000 injuries involving holiday decorating seen in emergency departments nationwide during November and December 2012, which is the fourth consecutive year those estimates have increased. Falling from a ladder and stepping on broken ornaments may be funny in holiday movies, but in real life, they result in emergency room visits for thousands of people each year.

Although the numbers may sound intimidating, many injuries or hazards could have been avoided with just a few simple precautions. Some of the most common safety hazards during the holidays involve a combination of decorations, ladders, heat sources and/or alcohol. In order to ensure both the safety of yourself and others, stay vigilant and know what to do and how to properly prepare for this holiday season.

Planning on having a live tree? Make sure to keep live trees away from heat sources like fireplaces and heaters, and keep a fire extinguisher near your tree. Live trees are highly flammable, due to needles and sap. Remember to hydrate the tree. A dried-out tree can catch fire faster than one that has been properly watered. If you're not willing to keep up with a live tree then fake it. If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it's labeled "fire resistant" which are less susceptible to catching fire.

When decorating with lights, double-check your lights for safety. Replace any lights with frayed wires, broken sockets and loose connections. Prevent electrical cord damage. Don't mount lights in a way that might damage the cords, and avoid using nails or tacks. Use hooks or insulated staples instead. When stringing lights and decorations above your normal reach, make sure you use a proper ladder with someone supporting the base.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 6,000 people were treated in emergency departments every year for holiday decorating-related falls, almost half of which were from the improper use of ladders. Only install lights and decorations on a day with good weather: no wind, ice, snow or rain. Make sure your ladder is set on stable ground and use a good sturdy extension ladder that will extend 3 inches above the edge of the roof. Never hang lights near or on power lines or feeder lines.

The holidays are busy and stressful. People are hurrying more than normal and winter road conditions make driving more dangerous. Add alcohol to this scenario and you have a recipe for disaster. Resist the pressure to drink or serve alcohol at every social event. Alcohol is not a necessary ingredient for holiday cheer. If you or your friends are going to a party and plan to drink alcohol, decide in advance who will be the designated driver. Drinking and driving is not an option.

With everything during the holiday season in mind remember to stay Safe'n Sound All Year Round by staying vigilant and knowing what to do and what to avoid.