CPSC shared safety tips to help ensure a safer holiday season.
As the holiday season draws near, many families are busy planning festive meals, decorating their homes, and preparing for time spent with loved ones. However, amid all the excitement, it’s easy to overlook safety risks that could quickly turn joy into disaster. From kitchen fires to foodborne illnesses, potential hazards are often present.
To help families stay safe, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shared some essential tips on how to “keep family and friends safe from common holiday-related hazards.” Check out their advice below:
Toy safety tips
The CPSC recommends choosing toys that are age-appropriate and fit a child’s abilities. For riding toys, use safety gear like helmets. Parents are also reminded to keep small toys and deflated balloons away from young children and be sure to dispose of packaging after opening gifts.
Thanksgiving fire safety
The CPSC reports that cooking fires spike on Thanksgiving Day, averaging 1,400 fires, more than three times the daily average. To prevent this, the CPSC advises never leaving food unattended and frying turkey only outside. They also recommend avoiding the use of turkey fryers in enclosed spaces, such as garages or porches.
Holiday decorating safety tips
CPSC also urges families to stay safe while decorating for the holidays. Make sure to water live Christmas trees and choose fire-resistant artificial trees.
Families are urged to keep candles away from flammable items and to extinguish them before leaving a room. Flameless candles are a safer option. Also, avoid overloading electrical outlets by connecting more than three sets of lights.