The holiday season brings fun, laughter and good times, butinjuries from falls and fires frequently occur during these times.
At the same time billions of kilowatts are used each year from light string decorations. According to information provided byEnergy Star, ‘‘if all decorative light strings sold in America this year were Energy Star qualified, we would save more than 2 billion kilowatts a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to nearly 300,000 cars.”
Energy star is a government program that helps consumers and businesses protect the environment through energy efficiency.
Lights strands that are Energy Star approved use 75 percent less energy than incandescent light strands. In conjunction with saving energy Lincoln Military Housing asks that base housing residents who have Christmas lights outside only turn them on from dusk to 10 p.m. to save energy and remove all decorations by Jan. 4, 2010.
Falls from ladders have accounted for more than 17,000 emergency room visits over the past several years, according to theCenter of Disease Control. The CDC suggests using a step stoolinstead of a ladder to prevent falls and injuries.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that those who fry turkeys use the following safety guidelines toprevent injuries and fires:
Keep the fryer in full view while burner is on.
Place the fryer in an open area away from all walls, fences orother structures.
Never use in, on, or under a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or any structure that can catch fire.
Raise and lower food slowly reduce splatter and avoid burns.
Cover bare skin when adding or removing food.
Check the oil temperature frequently, depending on what type of oil is used.
If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn gas supply off.
If a fire occurs, immediately call 911. Do not attempt to extinguish fire with water. Instead use a Class B fire extinguisherdesigned to extinguish liquid fires such as gasoline and grease.
During the holidays follow safety guidelines to helpreduce injuries, fires and other accidents. For more information on holiday safety tips for this year visit www.aap.org⁄advocacy⁄releases⁄novtips.cfm.
Sources: Energy Star, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Center of Disease Control and Prevention.
— Correspondent: tiffiney.wertz.ctr@usmc.mil
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