Archive

Holiday Safety: Tip No. 1

Dec. 1, 1999

Learn some safety tips for the holiday season.

In the coming days, EHS Today will offer safety tips for the holiday season. From now until Dec. 25, look for suggestions on home, driving and winter weather safety. Remember to make this season not only enjoyable, but safe as well.

As the holiday season begins, many people adorn their homes with one of the most prominent holiday decorations -- the Christmas tree.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that between 1993 to 1997, Christmas trees were the items first ignited in approximately 440 home fires, resulting in 14 deaths. Tree fires were also the result of 79 injuries and $18.5 million in damages on average annually.

While this seasonal symbol is an enjoyable part of holiday festivities, it is important to keep your tree safe. The Ohio Insurance Institute suggests the following.

Check the tree for freshness by pulling on its needles.
Water it daily and make sure the tree stand is a sturdy one. A desiccated tree presents a fire hazard.
Use only indoor lights on the tree and keep it away from heat sources and exits.
Discard the tree when needles start to fall.
Check labels on artificial trees to make sure they are flame-retardant.
Turn off the tree lights when you leave the house.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.