Welcome to Skagit County

December 17th, 2004

HAVE YOURSELF A SAFE LITTLE HOLIDAY

There is a lot to do during the holidays, and taking a few simple precautions can make this year’s festivities safer. The Washington State Department of Health has a holiday reminder that will help people keep their guests free of food-borne illness, homes safe from fires and children injury-free — just by following a few simple holiday safety tips. Food-borne illness

It is estimated more than one million Washington residents suffer from food-borne illness every year. Don’t let your guests become part of the statistic; prepare and handle your food safely:

• Clean: Wash hands, cutting boards, knives, dishcloths and countertops often.
• Separate: Don't cross-contaminate and let bacteria spread from one food to another. Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood and their juices away from other foods. Be sure to wash your hands after handling raw meat.
• Cook: Use a thermometer to make sure you cook food to proper temperatures.
• Chill: Keep foods in the refrigerator. Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours after the meal and should be eaten or frozen within two days.
• Caution: Some foods prepared according to traditional methods (such as eggnog, undercooked meats, raw shellfish and unpasteurized apple cider) can cause food-borne illness, especially to people at higher risk. Avoid serving these foods to children, seniors, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems.

Fire prevention

Residential fires occur often during the holiday season. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, candles will be the source of approximately 1,600 home fires during this time. If improperly maintained or ignored, Christmas trees pose a potential fire risk — causing about 200 fires during the holidays every year.

Following some simple safety tips can help reduce the risk of fire this season:

• If you buy a natural tree, look for a fresh one. Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire than older trees (a safer option is to buy a fire-resistant, artificial tree).
• Keep your tree in a container full of water and fill it daily.
• Do not leave lighted candles unattended. Never put candles on a Christmas tree and never leave the house with candles burning.
• Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace.

Toy-related injuries

According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, in 2002 more than 165,000 children 14 and under were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries. The majority of toys are safe, but some can become dangerous if used incorrectly or played with by young children.

• Follow the age and safety recommendations on toy labels.
• Consider a child’s cognitive skills and their ability to handle the toy safely.
• Include a helmet as part of the gift when buying bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skates, skateboards or sleds. Helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head and brain injuries. Make sure the helmet meets the safety standards developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Supervise your child when on a riding toy: Riding toys are the leading cause of toy-related injury. Make sure your child rides in safe areas and away from stairs, traffic or swimming pools.