Holiday plants, such as, mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and amaryllis are very poisonous to pets. If you have them in your home, make sure your pet’s can not get to them.

If you have a Christmas tree in your home you should avoid using tinsel, as your pet may swallow and/or choke on it. Also don’t decorate your tree with food items, such as, popcorn, cranberries, etc. Do not place edible food gifts under the tree. Keep breakable and small ornaments up high out of your pet’s reach. Don’t let your pet drink the water in the tree stand. Do not place any chemicals in the tree water, it can be harmful to your pet’s if they drink it.

Make sure pet doesn’t chew on electrical cords, keep all cords and outlets secure and concealed. Tape electrical cords to the wall or floor.

Have a room, crate or area where you pet can go to get away from all the noise and excitement.

After eating your holiday dinner throw any bones away where you pet can’t get to them. Bones can damage their throat and intestines or become lodged in their throat.

Make sure your pet can not get any chocolate, cookies, and candy, these can be toxic to them. High-fat foods, such as gravy can make them sick. Be sure guests and especially children know not to feed them anything.

Throw away all ribbons, bows, plastic wrappings and twister ties immediately after opening gifts before your pet can get to them and possibly swallow them.

Make sure your pets are wearing ID tags with current information at all times. With all the activity they may slip out  and it will be easier for someone to contact you if they find them.

Food Safety:

Remember, you can’t see, taste, or smell bacteria. It can be on food and multiply rapidly in moist, warm conditions. If consumed, harmful bacteria can cause food borne illness.

Wash your hands and surfaces often. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, etc., with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item.

Rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water. There is no need to wash or rinse meat or poultry.

Separate raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat foods while shopping, preparing or storing. Never put cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, seafood, or poultry.

Some foods may contain uncooked or lightly-cooked eggs, but even grade A eggs with clean, uncracked shells can be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Which is why it is important to thoroughly cook eggs to kill any bacteria that may be present.

Don’t lick spoons, mixing bowls or any other utensils that have batter that contains uncooked eggs.

Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within 2 hours or sooner. If you’re not serving it right away, refrigerate it.

It is not safe to cook any meat or poultry in an oven set lower than 325 degrees F.

Do not refrigerate a cooked turkey whole. Cut whole or large pieces of poultry into small pieces. It’s okay to leave drumsticks, thighs and wings intact. Refrigerate in covered shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking.

If purchasing a pre-stuffed turkey, only buy a frozen one that display’s the USDA or State mark of inspection on the packaging. Do not thaw it before cooking. It must be cooked from the frozen state. Follow the package directions for safe handling and cooking.

Cook food to a safe internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to be sure.

Cooking Fire Safety:

Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you are going to leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove/oven.

If you are simmering, roasting, baking, or boiling food, check on it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking. Use a timer to remind you to check on it and when it’s done.

Be alert. To prevent cooking fires, you have to stay alert. If you are sleepy, have taken medicine that makes you tired or have been drinking alcohol you won’t be alert.

Keep anything that can catch fire, such as, potholders, paper, paper or plastic bags, towels, oven mitts, wooden utensils, or curtains away from the stovetop.

Keep the stovetop, burners and oven clean.

Do not wear loose clothing that can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire if it comes into contact with an electric burner or gas flame. Only wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled up sleeves while cooking.

Never plug a cooking appliance into an extension cord, it can overload the circuit and cause a fire. Plug microwave ovens and other cooking appliances directly into an outlet only.

Teach children that hot things will burn. Keep hot foods and liquids away from the counter or table edges. Use the stove’s back burners if there are young children in the home. Never hold a child while cooking, drinking, eating, or carrying hot food or liquids.

Being more attentive can prevent many incidences from happening and keep your holidays safe and happy.

Many people look forward to decorating for the holiday’s, whether you are decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, it is an exciting time. Unfortunately, many people are injured or die from causes related to holiday lights, decorations, candles and Christmas trees.

Tips to help make your holiday safe:

Candles -

*       Never leave burning candles unattended

*       Keep candles, matches and lighters away from children

*       Do not burn candles all the down

*       Only use holders made specifically for candles

*       Make sure candle is on a heat-resistant, sturdy surface

*       When burning more than one candle, keep them at least 3 inches apart

*       Use a candle snuffer to extinguish candles

*       Do not touch or move candle when wax is liquid

*       Trim wick to 1/4 inch before using each time

Trees -

*       Look for “Fire Resistant” label when purchasing an artificial tree. It doesn’t mean the tree won’t catch fire, but it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should be able to extinguish quickly.

*       If your purchasing a live tree, make sure it is a fresh tree that is green with needles that are hard to pull off the branches and don’t break when bent between your fingers. When tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose a lot of needles. The trunk should have a sticky resin on it.

*       Keep the tree away from fireplaces, radiators and any other heat sources.

*       Cut two inches off the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption.

*       Keep the stand filled with water at all times.

*       Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

*       Secure a large tree to the ceiling or walls.

Lights -

*       Make sure lights have been tested for safety. Check for label from an independent testing laboratory.

*       Do not use more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

*       Check each set of lights, new and old ones, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw away any damaged sets.

*       Securely fasten outdoor lights to house, trees, walls or other firm support.

*       Turn off all lights on trees and any other decorations when you leave the house or go to bed. Lights could short and start a fire.

*       Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. Faulty lights could cause anyone touching a branch to be electrocuted. Instead, use colored spotlights beside the tree, never fastened onto it.

Fireplace -

*       Keep a screen in front of the fireplace at all times when a fire is burning.

*       Remove all greens, boughs, papers and any other decorations from fireplace area before lighting any fire.

*       Make sure flue is open.

*       Do not burn wrapping papers in fireplace.

General -

*       Don’t overload electrical outlets.

*       For outdoor decorations, only use decorations/lights/extension cords that are labeled safe for outdoor use.

*       Make sure outdoor decorations are secure for bad weather/storms.

*       Do not wear loose clothing near open flames.

*       Check for and eliminate any possible dangerous areas near trees, candles, fireplaces and electrical connections.

Have an emergency plan already made to use if a fire does break out anywhere in the home. Be sure each person in the family knows what to do. Practice the plan.

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