The holidays are a time for festivity and cheer, but according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), it can also be a time for unexpected dangers. Holiday home hazards include things like unsafe toys, candles, cooking fires, and even Christmas trees and lights. In a recent press release, the CPSC gives some useful tips for keeping you and your loved ones safe and preventing accidents and injuries this holiday season.
Year round, at home cooking is the number one cause behind residential fires. Fires tend to peak during the holidays, so taking precautions to prevent property damage and injuries is essential. Some of the CPSC’s fire prevention tips include:
Cooking fires are not the only hazard to pop up around the holidays. Toy manufacturers are responsible for producing safe products, but in 2018 the CPSC still reported more than 166,000 toy-related, emergency-department injuries – and 17 deaths – in children and teens under 15-years-old. The majority of injuries associated with dangerous or defective toys are burns, lacerations, or are choking-related.
There are several precautions to take when trying to avoid toy-related injuries. For example, most toys come with user manuals and safety packaging. Following age guidelines is one effective way to limit preventable toy-related accidents from happening. Here are some other useful tips for safely selecting and using toys:
Even decorating can result in unintentional and unexpected hazards. The CPSC reports approximately 200 decorating-related injuries per day during the holiday season every year. The agency says that falls are the most common type of injuries to occur. Over a three-year period (2014 to 2016) the agency reported an annual average of 100 Christmas tree and 1,100 candle-related fires (totaling more than $50 million in property damages) in addition to 10 deaths and 150 injuries.
To prevent decorating-related deaths and injury, the CPSC recommends the following:
Our whole team here at Galfand Berger is wishing you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, and joyful holiday season and new year!
With offices located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule a consultation, call us at 800-222-8792 or complete our online contact form.