Thank you for taking time out of your day to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. Now that Thanksgiving is behind, many of us will focus on the winter holiday season. If you celebrate any of the upcoming Holidays, there are some unique hazards in your home that you may not have considered… These hazards include:
- A giant tree in the middle of your living room
- Tiny lights plugged in throughout the inside and outside of your home
- Lit candles in your home for eight consecutive nights
- A dozen or more family members gathered in your kitchen singing carols, arguing about politics, and/or eating way too much
- Friends and families just gathering for a meal to share stories
- The potential for a fat man in a red suit to slide down your chimney to bring your children presents
With that in mind, consider the following tips:
- Be sure to inspect your lights and look for frayed wires or other damage to cords
- Be sure to check the filter on your furnace and replace regularly
- Keep outdoor lights off of the ground and away from metal rain gutters
- When you prepare your Holiday Dinner, ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked
- Store leftovers in sealed plastic containers and heat them to their required temperatures
- Never leave candles burning unattended
- If you have a fresh cut Christmas tree, be sure to water it routinely and keep it away from open flames such as candles or fireplaces
- A tree that is not properly watered is at greater risk of catching fire, which can result in an entire house becoming engulfed in a matter of minutes
If you like to celebrate the New Year by ringing it in with a few adult beverages, consider the following:
- More drivers are killed between midnight on January 1st and midnight on January 2nd than in any other 24 hour period throughout the year
- On average there are more than 150 drivers killed in a drunk driving collision on New Year’s Eve, nationwide
- DUI arrests on New Year’s Eve are nearly double that of any other day
- The average cost of a DUI is more than $10,000
- The average cost of an UBER for a 20 minute ride is less than $25
Consider the following tips if you are planning on having a few adult beverages
- Walk, use public transportation, an UBER, or a taxi service to get home
- Be cognizant of your surroundings
- Stay home and celebrate
If you make the decision to go out….
- Plan ahead
- Take a cab or an UBER TO YOUR DESTINATION, so that you won’t be tempted to drive home
- If possible, stay at a friend or family member’s house and off of the road
The unofficial start of the winter season has arrived. Before you know it, the winter holidays will have passed us by. Don’t let the many benefits that ASSP has to offer pass you by! The Chesapeake Chapter is one of the most active chapters in the nation, with monthly chapter ‘hybrid’ lunch and learns and multiple social events that take place during the day and in the evenings. In addition, we are actively recruiting members to serve on many committees. Regardless of the commitment that you are able to make, your assistance is needed and appreciated. If you are interested in being more active in the chapter, please reach out to me directly. Thank for taking the time to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.
Ned Fitter
ASSP Chesapeake Chapter President