Posted: 12/22/2014
Parkland experts give tips for staying safe this winter
Being home for the holidays may be ideal, but unanticipated dangers there can turn the holidays into tragedy. During this time of year homes can be especially vulnerable to fires from hazards such as space heaters and even Christmas decorations. That’s why experts at Parkland Health & Hospital System’s Regional Burn Center urge people to be aware of potential dangers and take steps to ensure the holidays are happy and safe.
“Every year we have many patients with injuries as a result of space heaters,” said Sue Vanek, RN, Burn Program Manager at Parkland. “Placing heating equipment too close to items such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding is a leading factor in home heating fire deaths.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2007 and 2011, portable and stationary space heaters caused one third of home heating fires and four out of five deaths from such fires. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that more than 25,000 residential fires every year are associated with the use of space heaters. More than 300 people die from these fires and about 6,000 people are treated at emergency departments.
Established in 1962, the Parkland Burn Center is one of the largest civilian burn centers in the nation. The center houses a Burn Intensive Care Unit, a Burn Acute Care Unit and a Burn Care Outpatient Center. More than 700 adult and pediatric patients are admitted to Parkland each year for burn injuries.
“With all the distractions of the holidays, it’s important for people to stay alert,” Vanek said, noting that seconds could be critical should a fire occur.
Shelli Stephens-Stidham, director of the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas (IPC), housed at Parkland, cautions that people should also be careful with holiday decorations. “While decorating your home be aware of potential fire hazards and take appropriate safety precautions,” she said.
Here are a few tips from the IPC to keep your holidays injury-free:
Space Heaters
- Only use a space heater that has been tested to the latest safety standards and is certified by a nationally recognized testing lab. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions.
- Place the heater on a level, hard, nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor.
- Keep the heater at least three feet away from any flammable material such as bedding, drapes or furniture.
- Keep children away from space heaters.
- Make sure the space heater is off if you leave the area.
Christmas Decorations
- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “fire resistant.”
- If buying a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree’s green needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles
- Place the tree away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters.
- Cut a few inches off the trunk of the tree to expose the fresh wood, which allows for better water absorption.
- Be sure to keep the stand filled with water.
- Check all holiday indoor and outdoor lights. Make sure all the bulbs are in good working order and there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
- Turn off all lights before going to bed or leaving the house.
For more information about holiday fire safety, call the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas at 214.590.4455 or visit its website at www.injurypreventioncenter.org.