SAFETY FIRST AT CHRISTMAS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 82, Issue 305, 24 December 1938, Page 2

SAFETY FIRST AT CHRISTMAS

ENJOY YOURSELF, BUT HERE'S A WORD OF CAUTION FIRST. A happy Christmas and Good Health to you. However, during such a time it might not be amiss to drop a word or two of caution concerning I the hazards of health associated with I celebrations at Christmas time and to j exhort everyone to take all possible | precaution against them. All dry shrubs are easily ignited | and should not be used for Christmas | trees. Christmas trees bearing lights | should be placed in such a position that ■ they are not likely to be overturned I or enveloped with inflammable draperies, etc. By currents of air, candles are easily bent out of shape, even by the slight heat of another light below. Bent candles droopdown and set things alight. All paper and similar lanterns should be hung by wire, and during the period they are lighted should be watched to see they do not swing. A swinging Chinese lantern easily catches fire. Then all flags, bunting, etc., should be kept well clear of open lights, fires, etc., and away from electric switchboards and fuses. Tissue paper (unless treated with flame-proofing solution) should not be used as a decoration or covering for illuminated globes. Cotton wool (unless treated with flame-proofing solution) is highly inflammable. Asbestos fibre or some other substitute, such as slag wool, is safer. Celluloid, being a highly inflammable material, should not be used on Christmas trees or in decorative schemes. Then, of course, matches should not be left within the reach of children, and they should not be allowed to light Christmas tree or other candles unless adults are present, as they are liable to set fire to their clothing Instead. Changes in electric wiring should only be made under the direction of an electrician or some competent person. Should the weather be such to need fires, these should have wire guards fitted or adequate fenders to prevent the clothes of persons passing or standing too near from catching fire. This is particularly necessary during some party games, when children are crowded together in one room. If paper streamers are used they should be swept up and removed from the house immediately after the festivities, as they so very easily catch fire. If threepenny bits or tiny china articles are placed in the Christmas pudding the partakers of the pudding should be warned, specially children, otherwise the article might easily be swallowed. When choosing toys, remember the habit of a very young child of putting everything into its mouth. Highly inflammable toys should not be given to children. So that nothing should happen to mar the fullest enjoyment of the Christmas festivities the above-men-tioned precautions should be observed at this season of the year. -—Contributed by the Department of Health.