Captain’s Column

This time of year marks the beginning of the holiday season. As such, our thoughts turn to sharing, giving, and spending time with loved ones.

It’s also a time when there are more safety concerns – parties are scheduled and travel spikes. Take some precautions to ensure your family remains safe and injury-free throughout the season.

Many people choose to travel during the holidays. The highest fatality rate during the season is when travelling by car. Many of these deaths involve alcohol. So, use a designated driver. Don’t let someone else drink and drive. Make sure everyone is properly buckled up. Ensure your children are in child safety seats, booster seats, or seat belts according to their height, weight and age. Put the cell phone away. Properly maintain your vehicle and keep an emergency kit with you.

It’s a hectic, busy time of the year, and we can have the tendency to get overtired trying to ensure we manage to get everything done. So, if you are travelling, please get a good night’s sleep before heading out. Or take a nap. The National Safety Council says that drowsy driving is impaired driving. And their research shows that being awake for more than 20 hours is the equivalent of being legally drunk.

If you are not traveling and are hosting a bunch of guests, after the decorations are up and food prepared, be on the lookout for some common holiday hazards.

Watch out for fire-starters. Thousands of deaths are caused by fires and fire-related injuries every year, with 12 percent of them being home candle fires in December. Increased use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations hanging all around means there is more risk for fire.

Don’t leave burning candles unattended or sleep in a room with a lit candle. Ensure that the candles are on stable surfaces, out of children’s reach and away from trees, curtains or other flammable items. Also, don’t burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fire place.

As much as you may not like what they gave you for a gift…please don’t give your guests the gift of food poisoning. Here are some food safety tips from the Department of Health and Human Services:

*Use a food thermometer to make sure meat is cooked to a safe temperature.

*Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.

*Thanksgiving leftovers are safe for four days in the refrigerator.

*Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating.

*When storing turkey, cut the leftovers in small pieces so they will chill quickly.

*Washing your hands frequently when handling food.

*Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from ready to eat foods and eating surfaces.

Don’t let unsafe habits create additional holiday stress. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday – safely -- with family and friends. See you around base!