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Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 389

19 December 2013

Christmas Safety Tips

The NHS statistics show that over 80,000 people need hospital treatment for injuries such as falls, cuts
and burns during the festive period.

We don’t want to take the fun out of Christmas, but it wouldn’t be the same for your family without
you there, so please remember to think before doing something you normally wouldn’t. It is common
at Christmas to decorate your house, install lights, over-indulge in drink and food, and have friends and
family stay. All of these are great fun, but all create hazards that you may not initially consider.

• Decorations – these can cause fire hazards if placed over fireplaces, or near hot surfaces. They
can also create trip hazards. Keep decorations (including cards) away from heat sources.
Position trees away from doorways. If you are decorating the tree and have small children,
remember baubles and small decorations can be a choking hazard.

• Fairy Lights – often these are kept in a box in the loft for the year and then installed in the hope
they still work. Always check the condition of the lights before installing them. Every year 350
people get injured due to poor condition lights, causing electrocution or fires. If your lights are
old, or in poor condition, buy new ones.

• Alcohol – it is common to attend parties where alcohol is plentiful. Remember that alcohol
reduces your risk awareness. Have a plan to get home safely – do not drink and drive.

• Food – food poisoning is common at Christmas, ensure the turkey is cooked properly!

• Stress – the combination of stresses from relatives, alcohol, shopping, loss of sleep etc can
become overwhelming for some. If you are feeling the stress, take a break – maybe walk the
dog or take a long bath.

May we take this opportunity to wish you a very merry and safe Christmas and a happy new year and
thank every one of you for your support in 2013.

We are all a product of learning. Every skill we have; everything we know; everything we believe and everything we do has
been learned throughout the course of our lives. Some of us learn best by studying graphs and charts, some through visual
presentations, and some by reading detailed text books. It is important that we receive information in a format that works
for us as individuals! That’s why at Xmo Strata we use a variety of communication platforms such as bulletins, newsletters,
videos etc. However, if you feel there is a better way for us to share health and safety information, please let us know.
Ultimately, your safety is in your hands – but we will do all we can to keep you well informed!