Tips for a Safe and Sound Holiday Season
Tips for A Safe And Sound Holiday Season
Philadelphia, PA, December 7, 2007 -- For many, the holiday season means friends, family and festive times. But, it can also be a time for accidental – and
preventable – injuries.
“People can help prevent injuries by slowing down and using caution and common sense at this time of year,” says Jack Kelly,
MD, Associate Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. “If you have a medical
emergency, don’t delay in getting help quickly,“ Kelly adds.
Here are some basic ways to safely enjoy the holidays:
Prepare the Turkey and Yourself
- “Many people don’t think about the risks associated with pulling a hot, heavy turkey out of the oven,” says Kelly. “Disposable
roasting pans are flimsy and can collapse, spilling hot grease and juices onto the cook. That hot grease can burn through
multiple layers of skin, which may require skin grafts.” To avoid burns:
- Be prepared and think about how you’re going to pull the turkey or other dish out of the oven. Be sure to use thick oven mitts.
- Use a sturdy, non-disposable roasting pan for extra stability. Disposable pans often become even more flimsy after hours in
a hot oven.
Fire Safety
- Fires spread quickly so to stop a small fire before it becomes a serious danger, follow these steps:
- Install smoke detectors on all floors of your home, especially near bedrooms, and test the batteries each month. Have a fire
extinguisher in the kitchen and test it to make sure you know how to use it.
- Candles are a nice way to celebrate the holidays but can cause house fires and severe burns. Make sure lit candles are supervised
by adults at all times. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of reach of children.
Carbon Monoxide -- A Silent Killer
- About 200 people each year die from carbon monoxide poisoning related to home fuel-burning equipment. Carbon monoxide is a
colorless, odorless gas that’s produced when fuel is not completely burned. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar
to flu-like illnesses, and include dizziness, fatigue, headaches or nausea.
- Carbon monoxide can leak from faulty furnaces, space heaters, or running a car inside a garage. The first line of defense
is to make sure all fuel-burning appliances operate properly, thus, everyone should have their home heating systems (including
chimneys and flues) inspected each year to make sure they’re working properly and not leaking.
- Carbon monoxide detectors provide an early warning to people by sounding an alarm before the deadly gas builds to a dangerous
level. “Every home should have at least one detector and it should be placed outside the bedroom area,” says Dr. Kelly.
Stay Warm
- Every winter, there are preventable cases of frostbite. If you plan on being outside, dress warmly, wear multiple layers and
protect your head, ears, fingers, feet and toes. Drinking alcohol impairs your ability to feel cold, so use caution when drinking
and braving the cold weather.
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network is a 1,200 bed integrated delivery network serving the communities of North Philadelphia
and Montgomery County, PA. A founding member of the Jefferson Health System, Einstein combines the best of academic medicine
and community service, employing nearly 7,000 people, and offering training programs for physician residents and fellows,
nurses and other health professionals. The Network provides healthcare services through the Albert Einstein Medical Center
and Einstein at Elkins Park hospitals, its MossRehab and Belmont Behavioral Health divisions, Germantown Community Health
Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), outpatient facilities such as Center
One and Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare, network of primary care and specialist practices throughout the community. For more
information, visit www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.
Contact: Judy Horwitz
Communications Specialist
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-6767 horwitzj@einstein.edu
Publish date: December 7, 2007
