Seasonal Safety Tips
4th of July
llinois and Fireworks
CONSUMER FIREWORKS
(Formerly Class C Fireworks)
Specifically permitted: Sparklers, snake/glow worm pellets, smoke devices, trick noise makers, plastic or paper caps.
Specifically prohibited: Firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, bombs.
Public Displays
Spectators should obey all ushers or monitors and respect the safety barriers set up to allow the trained operator room to safely do his job. Resist any temptation to get close to the actual firing site. In fact, the best view of the fireworks is from a quarter of a mile or more away.
Although it rarely happens, it is possible that a firework component might fall to the ground without exploding. The public should be cautioned not to touch these fireworks. If they happen to find any which have not exploded, they should immediately contact the local fire or police department.
Pets have very sensitive ears and the booms and bangs associated with a fireworks display can be quite uncomfortable — particularly to dogs. In fact, the noises can actually hurt their ears. Leave pets at home if you are going to a fireworks show.
Leave the lighting of all fireworks to the trained operator when you attend a public display. Sparklers, fountains and other items that many states allow for use by private individuals are not appropriate to use when a large crowd is present. Leave your own fireworks at home — the display will provide plenty of excitement.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
The National Council on Fireworks Safety
Homeowners
- Always read and follow label directions.
- Have an adult present.
- Buy from reliable sellers.
- Use outdoors only. Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
- Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
- Light only one firework at a time.
- Never re-light a “dud” firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
- Never give fireworks to small children. Close, adult supervision of all fireworks activities is mandatory. Even sparklers can be unsafe if used improperly.
- If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
- Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trashcan.
- Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
- Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
- The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
- Stay away from illegal explosives.
Halloween Safety Tips
Trick-or-Treaters
- Carry a flashlight
- Walk, don’t run.
- Stay on Sidewalks
- Obey traffic signals
- Stay in familiar neighborhoods
- Don’t cut across yards or driveways.
- Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
- Make sure costumes don’t drag on the ground.
- Shoes should fit (even if they don’t go with your costume)
- Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
- Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
- (If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic
- Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
- Approach only houses that are lit.
- Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.
Parents
- Make your child eats dinner before setting out.
- Children should carry quarters so they can call home.
- Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
- If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
- If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
- Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
- You should know where they’re going.
- Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
- Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect.
Homeowners
- Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
- Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.
- Battery powered jack o’lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
- If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
- Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.
- Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.
- Non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils, stickers, erasers, coins.
Drivers
- Go slow,slow,slow all evening. (Adult Halloween partiers should have a designated driver.)
Winter Holiday Safety Tips
Shopping Mall Safety
T’is the season of the highest crime rates especially that of theft. Here are a few tips to help protect yourself and family on your trips to the mall and or grocery store.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- When leaving a store remember where you parked and have your keys in your hand.
- When shopping at night, have a friend or relative come along. If you are alone when leaving a store, ask the security guard to walk you to your car.
- Ladies always carry your purse tucked tightly under your arm and zipped close.
- Carry only the credit cards you will need.
- Place your money and credit cards in your front pant pocket, it’s harder for them to be stolen.
Christmas Tree Safety
- Consider an artificial tree (they are much safer and cleaner).
- A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground.
- Cut 1 inch off the trunk to help absorb water.
- Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate.
- The stand should hold at least 1 gal. of water.
- A 6′ tree will use 1 gallon of water every two days.
- Mix a commercial preservative with the water.
- Check the water level every day.
- Secure the tree with wire to keep it from tipping.
- Keep tree away from floor heaters, fire places, or other heat sources.
- Use only UL-approved lights, and no more than 3 strands linked together.
- Use miniature lights–which have cool-burning bulbs.
- Turn off the Christmas lights when you sleep, or if you leave your home for very long.
- Never use candles, even on artificial trees.
- Clean the tree stand to improve the tree’s water intake, use one capful of bleach to a cup of water.
- Dispose of the tree properly.
- NEVER BURN A REAL TREE IN THE FIREPLACE!
Homeowner Safety
- Install a smoke detector or new batteries in the one(s) you have and TEST it.
- Use only outdoor lights outside your home.
- Examine light strings each year, discard worn ones.
- Fasten the bulbs securely and point the sockets down to avoid moisture build up.
- Connect no more than three strands together.
- Never use indoor extension cords outside.
- Avoid overloading wall outlets and extension cords.
- Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground and out of puddles and snow.
- Unplug light string before replacing a bulb. Review the original package to verify proper wattage and voltage.
- When connecting light strands, wrap a plastic bag around connections and tie ends with teflon tape.
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree, use colored spot lights.
- Make sure trees hung with X-mas lights are not touching power lines.
- When using candles, place them a safe distance from combustibles.
- Place candles in sturdy containers. Remember, hot wax burns kids.
- Extinguish candles prior to going to bed.
- Dispose of fireplace ashes into a metal container until cold.
- After parties, check around and under sofa and chair cushions for smoldering cigarettes. (Provide lots of ash trays)
- Install at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home.
- Have an operable fire extinguisher readily available.
Drivers
- Go slow through mall areas.
- Don’t race from store to store.
- Drive accordingly in snowy and icy conditions.