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"Opening our homes to holiday visitors is a wonderful way to show friendsand family how much we care. Along with the pleasures of cooking meals andpreparing a festive home environment, we're also responsible for keeping ourguests safe," said Meri-K Appy, Home Safety Council president. "By taking afew simple safety steps before guests arrive, hosts can help ensure everyone'sholiday meals and visits are happy and injury-free."
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"Get a Taste" for Safety
According to the Home Safety Council's new survey, nearly two-thirds ofadults (65 percent) plan to cook holiday meals this winter season. Whileseasonal treats bring smiles to the table, they also serve up potential fireand burn injury risks. To keep accidents out of your kitchen this holidayseason, the Home Safety Council suggests taking the following steps:
Don't Let Hazards Be an Uninvited Guest This Season
Whether relatives and friends stay for a short or an extended visit, it'simportant for families to take simple steps to make their homes safe,especially for young children and older adults -- the age groups most at riskfor home injury.
The Home Safety Council recommends that hosts find and fix home hazardswhile they are preparing for the holidays. Once guests arrive, take time toreview critical safety precautions and practices with them. The Home SafetyCouncil offers the following advice:
To learn more about how to keep friends and family safe in and around yourhome during the holidays, and year-round, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.
About Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national nonprofit organizationsolely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Throughnational programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educatespeople of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home SafetyCouncil is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Washington, DC.
Contact: Shannon McDaniel-- Always stay in the kitchen while cooking on the range, especially when frying food. -- Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, and curtains at least three feet away from the range top. -- Keep grease from building up on the range top, toaster oven and in the oven. -- Before cooking, roll up sleeves. Loose-fitting clothes can touch a hot burner and catch on fire. If clothes do catch fire, "Stop, Drop and Roll" by dropping immediately to the ground and rolling over and over or back and forth to put out the flames. Cool the burned area with cool water and seek medical attention for serious burns. -- Wear full-length oven mitts to protect your skin from burns. -- Always turn pot handles toward the back of the range to prevent small children from reaching and pulling down a hot pan. -- Keep pans, hot beverages and trays that have just come out of the oven away from the edge of counters, so that children are not able to reach them. -- Hot liquid and food burns often occur when children pull hanging tablecloths or placemats. Use tablecloths and decorations with care. -- Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from microwaved food carefully to prevent steam burns. Always test microwaved food for heat before giving it
