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Emergency rooms nationwide treat around 8,000 people each year for holiday-related injuries. Causes of injuries range from falls and fires to cuts and shocks from decorating lights and trees.
Safety Tips
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Live trees
Live trees should be fresh, with pliable needles that don't detach easily. Avoid trees with dry branches and needles that shed easily.
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Setting up trees
Set up any tree away from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters and candles to minimize your risk of accidental fire.
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Artificial trees
Make sure that artificial trees are marked "fire resistant."
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Decorative lights
Check decorative lights for loose or frayed wires, broken sockets, or cracked bulbs. If you have any doubts at all regarding the safety of your lights, replace them.
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Turn lights off
Turn lights off when you leave home. Always extinguish candles or other flames when you are away.
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Choking hazard
Follow recommended age ranges on toy packages. Young children can choke on toys with small parts.
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Watch the kids
Children will consider any unattended item a toy to be explored. Don't leave hazardous objects or sharp items where children can reach them.
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Hot foods
At parties or gathering, even hot foods can be a danger to children. Keep any heated dishes or stove pots away from table edges or any place where children can disturb them or knock them off.