Each year between Thanksgiving and the New Years holidays, approximately 12,000 individuals are treated in emergency rooms throughout the United States due to holiday decorating-related incidents. Incidents of dried Christmas trees catching fire result in 17 deaths and millions of dollars in property damage each year. On average, 150 people die as a result of candle-related fires in homes, totaling $385 million in property damage. These deaths, injuries and property losses may be avoided if consumers follow these simple steps regarding trees and decorations:

1. If you buy an artificial tree, make sure that it is labeled “Fire Resistant.” If purchasing a live tree, check for signs of freshness; a fresh tree should be green, not dropping needles, needles should be firmly attached to the stem and not easily broken. The trunk of the tree should have sticky resin near the bottom.

2. If you set up your tree inside your home, be sure it is away from sources of heat, such as fireplaces, vents and radiators. Monitor the water levels in the tree stand, replacing the water as needed. Do not place the tree in a doorway or traffic area. Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim your tree, such as tinsel or artificial icicles made of plastic.

3. In homes where children are present, take care to select unbreakable tree ornaments and decorations. Decorations with small parts or those that resemble candy or food may tempt children to swallow, inhale  or eat them.

4. Purchase indoor and outdoor lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally – recognized testing laboratory. Check all tree lights before hanging them on your tree to be sure all bulbs work, and there are no broken sockets, loose connections or frayed wires. Outdoor lights should be certified for outdoor use and should be strung through hooks or insulated staples, not nailed or tacked. Plug outdoor lights into circuits with ground fault interrupters or a protected receptacle to avoid a shock. Extension cords should be rated for the intended use.

5. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree as the tree may become charged with electricity from faulty lights. A person touching the tree could be electrocuted.

6. To avoid fires, turn off all holiday lights when leaving your home or when going to bed.

7. If you decorate with candles, make sure that burning candles are within sight. Never burn candles near a tree or other evergreens. Keep candles on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface where children and pets cannot knock them over. Extinguish candles when leaving the house or going to bed.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

According to a recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. Even an occasional cigarette or breathing second-hand smoke can cause serious and immediate damage to your body, altering your DNA and increasing the risk of developing cancer. In fact, nearly one-third of all cancer deaths involve cigarette smoking. Exposure to cigarette smoke may cause cardiovascular disease and trigger a heart attack or stroke, because the smoke rapidly damages blood vessels throughout the body, making blood more likely to clot. Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 different chemicals and compounds, hundreds of which are toxic: seventy are known to cause cancer. These chemicals found in tobacco smoke inflame the delicate lining of the lungs, reducing the ability of the lungs to efficiently exchange air, leading to chronic pulmonary lung disease, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Of course the longer a person smokes, the more damage is created by the toxic chemicals that can weaken the immune system and reduce your body’s ability to fight off cancers, including those  cancers that are not associated with smoking. If you are trying to become pregnant, women should avoid all exposure to tobacco smoke, as chemicals in the smoke interfere with how your fallopian tubes function, and increase the risk for miscarriage or low birth weight. Men should be aware that chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the DNA in sperm and may reduce fertility or adversely affect fetal development. Diabetics should understand that tobacco smoke interferes with the regulation of blood sugar levels, putting them at higher risk for heart, lung, kidney and eye diseases and increased problems with circulation and nerve damage.

The report explores why cigarettes are addicting, and concludes that cigarettes are designed to addict. Cigarettes produced today deliver nicotine more rapidly to the heart, lungs and brain, making them more addictive than ever before. Nicotine is the leading ingredient that causes addition, but certainly not the only ingredient that promotes dependency and addiction. Cigarette manufacturers seek to “improve”  the design of their products by adding more powerful compounds to affect the nicotine receptors in the brain and thus sustain the additive effects of cigarettes. Adolescents are at greater risk for addiction to cigarettes as their bodies are more sensitive to nicotine. Smoking “light” or low-tar cigarettes did not significantly reduce the risk of smoker-related diseases. Rather, these versions of cigarettes may have interfered with campaigns that encourage people to stop smoking.

“It is never too late to quit” smoking tobacco products. The report states that the risk of developing smoker-related diseases begins to drop as soon as an individual quits. Fortunately, there are medications available, both over the counter and by prescription, to help a smoker to “kick the habit”. To learn more,copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco.

Over the last few years, many doctors have been recommending their patients take extra calcium and vitamin D for optimal health. However, a panel of experts at the Institute of Medicine (IOM), an independent, non-profit organization, now say in most cases, calcium and vitamin D supplements are unnecessary. In fact, too much of these supplements may put older women at risk for kidney stones and put some some patients at risk for heart disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D is being added to more and more foods and beverages, including breakfast cereals, milk and orange juice. However, most people do not get enough vitamin D from their diets, but have enough of it in their blood. Our bodies make the vitamin naturally, after exposure to the sun, and store it for later use. The experts at the IOM assumed minimal sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancer to establish the minimum daily requirement of around 400 IUs of vitamin D per day. Adults 71 and older may need up to 800 IUs due to age-related changes in their bodies. The recommended intake for infants varies from 200 to 400 IUs per day, depending on the age of the child. As for calcium, the IOM found that most people are receiving adequate amounts. They recommend, on average, children aged 1-3 need 500 milligrams per day and children 4-8 need 800. Adolescents and men and women over 71 require 1300 milligrams and 1000 milligrams, respectively.

During the fall and winter seasons, the use of electric space heaters increases as the temperature decreases. Increases in home heating costs may cause some consumers to explore alternative ways, including space heaters, to heat their homes.

In a recent year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated  there were at least 25,000 residential fires associated with the use of space heaters, resulting in more than 300 deaths and 6,000 burn injuries. Because space heaters may cause fires due to misuse or manufacturing and design flaws, it is important to follow safety precautions to protect your family while keeping your home warm this winter season.

1. Purchase newer model heaters that have all the safety features, such as a tip-over safety switch which shuts off the unit if it tips over.

2. Buy only those units with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.

3. Do not use space heaters as the only source of heat in your home. They are not intended to replace your furnace.

4. Choose a unit that is thermostatically controlled to avoid wasting energy by overheating a room.

5. Do not leave a space heater unattended. Unplug the heater when it is not in use. NEVER leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or place one close to a sleeping person.

6. If you must use an extension cord to plug in your heater, use a grounded heavy duty cord marked with #14 gauge or larger.

7. Place the space heater on a level, hard surface (like ceramic tile), not on a rug or carpeting, and keep at least 3 feet away from flammable surfaces such as draperies or bedding.

8. Keep babies and small children away from space heaters as they may be attracted to the glowing elements and sustain burn injuries to their tender skin.

9. Place smoke alarms with fresh batteries on all levels of your home and in each bedroom.

When used correctly, space heaters can provide an additional source of heating for your home. However, the use of space heaters can result serious injury and death. The U.S. CPSC has recalled numerous electric space and oiled-filled heaters: one was recalled  in July 2010.

In tough economic times, many individuals are struggling to pay their utility bills. If you face the likelihood or possibility that your natural gas may be disconnected, contact your utility company prior to termination of service to ask for help. Many local charities and state agencies can provide assistance.

According to new research unveiled by the National Highway Transportation Safety Association, fewer children died as a result of roadway crashes in 2009 than in previous years. Officials credit the decrease in deaths to increased and more appropriate use of child safety seats. However, motor vehicle crashes remain the primary cause of fatalities in children between the ages of 3 and 14. On average, four children, under age 14,  were killed and nearly 500 were injured every day in 2009. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to have their children’s safety seats inspected at one of the thousands of free safety inspection centers located throughout the country. Click here to find a center near you. NHSTA

Given the millions of dogs in the United States, it is clear that we truly love our our pets. However, dog bites result in thousands of severe and permanent injuries each year, including disfigurement, scarring and even death. According to Michigan law, there are essentially no “free bites.” A dog owner cannot claim that she/he did not know that the dog was dangerous and would bite, except if the dog was provoked by an act, such as striking. Many Michigan municipalities have passed leash laws that require a dog to be leashed, and not allowed to run unrestrained. A personal injury claim can proceed on the basis of negligence, especially if the owner knew that the dog had previously bitten someone else.  As stated earlier, dog bites can result in death, as in the case of a Washington State man who died from a bacterial infection caused by bacterium in the dog’s saliva. The bacterium led to multiple organ failure, tissue necrosis and eventually, the man died a painful death. The family of the deceased man is suing the dog owner for wrongful death. This case highlights the need for dog owners to take full responsibility for their pets by taking precautions to protect others from injury or death. (9/9) Seattle Times

Results of a recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that the number of children seeking medical care for concussions incurred while playing competitive sports has more than doubled over a five year period. According to the study, forty-percent of children seen in the emergency room for sports-related concussions were elementary and middle-schoolers between the ages of 8 and 13. Physicians say the brains in younger children are more susceptible to injury, that these injuries may take longer to heal and can cause more damage than concussion in adults or adolescents. The report stress the need for parents, coaches and physicians to create better guidelines for recognizing brain trauma in youngsters, and when and how long to sideline them. More importantly, the report stress the need for solutions and ways to protect children from future long-term brain injuries. (8/29) LA Times

However, adolescent sports-related concussions are also serious and may cause death or severe long-term injuries as the still-developing brains in teenagers make them more susceptible to the debilitating effects of head injuries. Experts say that children and adolescents who have suffered a concussion should always be evaluated by a physician to receive medical clearance prior to resuming play. Common practice is to wait 15 minutes and return to play. Contrary to public perception, only about one in ten individuals who sustain a concussion loses consciousness. Symptoms can appear up to 72 hours after an impact and may include disorientation, problems with memory, nausea and headache. (8/30) LA Times

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in the U.S. during April 2010,  40 people were killed riding ATVs, 12 of them children under the age of 16. In May, 13 children died in ATV-related accidents. And in the past few weeks in Michigan alone, 5 children under the age of 14 have died or suffered severe injuries, while riding an ATV. Children and ATVs do not mix. This opinion is shared by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, whose members each year treat thousands of children injured by ATVs. These doctors and consumer advocacy groups support legislation that would prohibit ATV use by unlicensed adolescents under the age of 16. Michigan law allows children under 16 to operate an ATV if they wear a helmet, have safety training and follow other rules. Yet studies show that helmets do not provide sufficient protection for young riders who suffer more severe injuries, longer hospital stays and more surgeries than if they have been riding a conventional bicycle. Studies also found that despite surviving an ATV-related accident, children return to riding ATVs with their safety behaviors unaltered. The findings of these studies reinforce the need for legislation to keep children under 16 off these dangerous vehicles. Although the case for new legislation about who can ride an ATV is strong, the ATV industry continues to fight against it, and has failed to heed the serious warnings of consumer advocacy groups. Instead, companies such as Yamaha, while aggressively marketing these dangerous vehicles to youngsters, avoid federal and state regulation by “doctoring” documents and publishing false statistics to show ATV deaths and injuries are declining, when in fact the opposite is true.  Legislation will help to save lives, but in the end,  the ATV industry must endeavor to produce safer vehicles and support regulations to protect children under 16. For more information, visit atvsafetynet.org.

Summer is prime time for garage and rummage sales where families search for gently used furniture, household items and toys for kids of all ages. While searching for bargains, consumers should be aware of  safety issues involving products, particularly for infants and children, that may be sold at neighborhood garages sales.  Some products sold at these sales may have been subject to a recall because they pose a a risk of injury or even death to infants and children. The seller of the products may be unaware that the items they are offering for sale have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Beware of hand-me-down bassinets, cribs or toys given to you by a friend or relative who may be unaware that an a crib or toy is subject to a recall. Before using an item you buy at a garage sales or one that has been given to you,  go to CPSC.org to determine the safety status of that item. Check out the CPSC’s “most wanted list”  of products, those that have caused death and/or injury. They include: Simplicity Bassinets and Cribs, Stork Craft and Delta Cribs, Magna Man Figures,  Kolcraft Play Yards, and Playschool Tool Benches, among others.

The drowning of a Richfield Township girl a few week ago is a sad reminder about the importance of implementing strategies to prevent these tragedies from occurring.  (7/15) Flint Journal In the Richfield case, the toddler awakened from a nap and climbed into the family’s pool after going outside unnoticed. According to a recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in the U.S. among children  between the ages of 1 and 19. The report states that for drowning and injury prevention there must be “layers of protection” in place as no single strategy would likely prevent all drownings or water-related injuries. Layers of protection could include adult supervision, pool covers, water-entry alarms and swimming and survival skill training. Four-sided pool fencing around all pools, including large above-ground inflatable or portable pools, isolating the pool from the house and yard have been shown to decrease pool immersion deaths and injuries by over 50%. Using these strategies may have prevented the Richfield drowning.