The holidays are exciting and busy for employees and their loved ones, but the season can also present safety risks.
The Army Combat Readiness Center launched its 2023 Fall/Winter Safety Campaign, Give Winter Mishaps the Cold Shoulder in September as part of its continuing effort to keep the Army family safe.
The campaign through March provides products focusing on seasonal safety topics to help Soldiers and civilians avoid hazards as winter weather and the holidays arrive.
“Holiday safety is an integral part of the campaign,” Garrison Safety Director Charlie Carter said. “Some other topics in the campaign are drowsy and impaired driving, fire safety, home heat source hazards, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide poisoning, weapons safety, and motorcycle safety, to name a few.
“Along those lines, people often put safety on the back burner first as they are preparing for the holiday season. However, there are some common safety measures that we want to raise awareness on to prevent mishaps during this time.”
Carter said he and his team are excited to help keep Soldiers, family members, civilians and contractors on Redstone Arsenal safe during the holiday season.
Holiday décor is a key safety risk, he said. Decorations can pose risks such as tripping and fire hazards. But there are ways to reduce these risks.
“Add a safety aspect to holiday decorating,” Carter said. “For example, keep pathways clear of decorations, run cords along walls or tape them down, keep walkways well-lit, ensure objects are secure on roofs and walls, turn off lights every night or use a timer, put out candles when leaving home or going to bed, ensure candles are put on a heat resistant, stable surface and where kids and pets can’t reach them or knock them over.
“Also, don’t overload circuits, extension cords, or electrical sockets. Doing simple things like examining lights before hanging and returning or throwing away any holiday lighting sets with cracked or broken sockets, loose connections or frayed or bare wires, and replacing burned-out bulbs promptly with bulbs of the same wattage can be effective. Hanging lights with damaged electrical wiring leads to a potentially flammable short. Make sure decorations aren’t near heat sources like gas or wood-burning fireplaces.”
Cooler temperatures pose challenges like driving in adverse weather. When driving during the winter, maintenance is important. Check your tire treads, car battery, and antifreeze and other fluid levels, keep windows clear and keep on hand an emergency supply kit with equipment like an ice scraper, flashlight and jumper cables.
With holiday parties, drunk and drugged driving, food poisoning, and airborne illness are potential risks, Carter said. He recommends designating a driver or using a ride service, monitoring how long food is left out, washing hands before preparing or eating food, and using a food thermometer to ensure food reaches the proper temperature. Staying at home when you are sick can help prevent spreading illness in the workplace and at holiday gatherings.
Garrison safety and occupational health specialist Aviance Oden emphasizes how the holidays are busier and more hectic than other times of the year, which makes people more susceptible to stress, which can lead to health concerns.
“The holidays are a stressful time of the year,” she said. “It is estimated that 130 million people will travel this year, via plane, train or automobile. According to the American Heart Association, the highest rate of cardiac mortality is between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The number one thing you can do to relieve stress is to plan ahead for your travel. This can help ensure you are prepared to handle the unexpected.”
Oden provides these travel tips to keep you and your family safe:
· Check the weather forecast on your route of travel to your destination. Leave early to account for potential heavy traffic.
· Avoid risky behavior such as distracted driving, consuming alcohol, and speeding.
· Have your vehicle serviced prior to avoid any potential issues on the road. Invest in an emergency kit that has at a minimum an inflation kit, jumper cables, first aid kit and a flashlight. Check your tires prior to travel for damage and tread wear.
Many of us will be around groups, so it’s important to stay up to date with your vaccinations. This will help protect you from infectious disease.
It’s never too late to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR can double or triple your chances of survival if administered properly.
The Garrison Safety Office provides guidance on practicing safety year-round to service members, civilians and contractors. Carter calls on leaders at all levels to take advantage of opportunities for engaging their employees on holiday safety.
“We want to promote positive behaviors among the Redstone workforce,” Carter said. “Our team is here to help with any safety issues during the holidays. The information that we give will go a long way to ensuring that employees continue to stay safe and healthy year-round. Discussing any risks with your employees and encouraging them to practice safe habits during the holidays can help them be proactive in addressing potential hazards and prevent common accidents and injuries. It is our desire that everyone enjoy the holidays and return to work safely, refreshed and healthy.”
“Let’s all enjoy the holidays with our family and friends and keep safety first,” Oden said. “With the right mindset, we can enter the New Year accident free.”
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