
As we ring in the New Year, it’s a time for celebration, reflection, and making memories with loved ones. However, while we’re enjoying the festivities, it’s important to keep safety at the forefront of our minds.
At Excelsior Safety Solutions, we believe safety should be just as important at home as it is at work. This New Year’s, let’s take the precautions we prioritize in our daily lives and carry them into our celebrations to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday.
1. Firework Safety
Fireworks are the highlight of New Year’s celebrations, but they come with inherent risks. Each year, fireworks cause injuries and fires that can easily be avoided with proper precautions.
- Firework Safety Tip: Always follow local laws and use fireworks from licensed dealers. Keep fireworks away from children and ensure you are familiar with proper lighting techniques.
- Why It’s Important: Fireworks contain flammable chemicals and can easily cause fires or serious burns. Every year, hundreds of people are injured from fireworks, many requiring emergency treatment.
- Safety Measures: Always have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water nearby when setting off fireworks. Never point fireworks at others, and only light them outdoors in an open area, away from structures and trees.
2. Alcohol and Safe Celebrating: Plan Ahead
While New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate, alcohol consumption can pose risks, especially when it comes to impaired driving. Making a game plan ahead of time can reduce risks associated with alcohol.
- Alcohol Safety Tip: Designate a sober driver, or better yet, plan to use a ride-sharing service to avoid the risk of drinking and driving.
- Why It’s Important: Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time, and coordination, leading to accidents that can cause serious injury or death. Each year, the risk of drunk driving increases over the holiday season.
- Safety Measures: Make sure your guests have a safe way home or a place to stay if they’ve been drinking, and keep the celebration safe by encouraging responsible drinking.
3. Fire and Carbon Monoxide Safety
During the winter months, heating devices, candles, and cooking appliances become a major source of fire hazards. Understanding the risks associated with these can prevent accidents.
- Space Heaters & CO2 Risks: Many people use portable space heaters to stay warm during the colder months, but these devices can release harmful gases like carbon monoxide (CO) when improperly used. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can lead to poisoning if ventilation is inadequate.
- Fire Hazards in the Kitchen: The kitchen is one of the leading areas for household fires, especially when frying, cooking with oil, or leaving the stove unattended.
4. Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls
Winter weather increases the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls. Icy conditions outdoors and clutter indoors can create hazards that lead to injuries.
- Outdoor Safety Tip: Salt icy driveways and walkways to prevent falls when walking outside.
- Indoor Safety Tip: Keep pathways inside your home clear of clutter and ensure they are well-lit.
- Why It’s Important: Slips and falls are one of the leading causes of injury during the winter months, often resulting in fractures or sprains.
- Safety Measures: Wear appropriate footwear, especially in icy or wet conditions.
As we celebrate the New Year, let’s carry our commitment to safety from the workplace to our homes. By following simple safety practices—whether using fireworks, heating our homes, or keeping our environment slip-free—we can ensure that our celebrations are as safe as they are enjoyable. At Excelsior Safety Solutions, we believe safety is a priority in every part of our lives. Let’s make sure this New Year is a celebration of safety and well-being for all.