The holiday season is an exciting and joyful time of the year, but it can also offer its fair share of danger. About 15,000 injuries from holiday decorations and $16 million in property loss from Christmas tree-related incidences occur each year. Not only that, but cooking around the bustle of a busy home on the holidays can lead to serious injury or worse. To keep the festivities going, follow these simple tips below to have a safe and happy holiday season.
Stay in the kitchen while cooking
When frying, grilling, or broiling your food be sure to remain in the kitchen. If you have to leave your house for any reason, turn off your stove or oven.
Keep dangerous items out of reach of children
The holidays are a family affair, but while cooking, keep children at least three feet away from the stove to avoid accidents. Children should also be careful around food as steam or a splash from hot food and liquids can cause serious burns. Keep knives and other sharp utensils out of children’s reach.
Keep your cooking area clean and clear
Distractions and roving family members seem to be a constant during the holidays, so remember to keep your kitchen floor clear so you do not trip over kids, toys, pets or bags. Keep things that can burn – pot holders, oven mitts, paper or plastic – off of your stovetop. Clean food and grease off cooking and heating surfaces regularly. Turn pot handles inward to reduce the risk of pots being knocked over while walking past or working.
Check your lights, decorations, and Christmas tree regularly
Christmas trees that are not kept moist can present a very serious fire hazard for a home. A dried out Christmas tree can be consumed by fire in less than 30 seconds. Be sure to water your Christmas tree daily to keep it moist. Always turn off Christmas lights after you go to bed or when you leave your home; a short-circuit could cause a fire. Keep the area around the tree clear of flammable decorations and freshly opened gift wrappings. A room full of paper is just one more fire hazard.
Holiday hazards aren’t only confined to the home. This holiday season, the Glendale Police Department will be out looking for drunk and drugged drivers as part of their year-end Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization. The effort began on December 16th and will last through the New Year. In California alone, total highway deaths were reported at 3,126 with 1,155 of those were crashes involving an alcohol and/or drug impaired driver. If you’re caught driving impaired, you could face jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, towing fees, and other DUI expenses which total $10,000 on average.
Driving under the influence is not only costly, but can ruin the holidays for you, your family, and for someone else’s family. If you do decide to go out and celebrate the holidays, drivers should download the Designated Driver VIP free mobile app, which finds nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for designated sober drivers. Even if you aren’t the designated driver, they have a tab that allows you to call Uber, Lyft, or Curb.
The City of Glendale wishes all of its residents safe and happy holiday season.