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Winter Health and Safety
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Unfortunately, winter brings a few more safety hazards than occasional icy roads and the opportunity for kids to stay home from school.
Injuries and deaths from fires and carbon monoxide poisoning can also be a problem in the winter, as people are more likely to use portable heaters, central heating systems, and fireplaces and chimneys.
In fact, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports that there have been more than 150 home fires and 200 deaths in the United States since Thanksgiving.
To help keep your family safe, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that you:
- install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in your home
- have your fuel burning home heating system inspected each year
- keep space heaters on a level, hard, nonflammable surface and at least three feet away from bedding and drapes and other flammable materials
- do not heat your home with a portable propane space heater or your home's electric or gas stove
- have flues and chimneys inspected and open the fireplace damper before you light a fire and don't close it until the ashes are cool
In addition to protecting your family from fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, other winter safety and health tips include that you should:
- dress your appropriately for cold weather, using multiple layers, and not forgetting about warm socks, gloves and a hat
- try using a cool mist humidifier, saline nose sprays, and/or saline nasal gel regularly if your child gets frequent nosebleeds during the winter from having dry nasal passages
- increase your use of moisturizers if your child gets dry skin in the winter, which is especially common on their hands and around their lips
- encourage them to wash their hands frequently to try and avoid cold and flu germs and stay healthy
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