It’s the Great Pumpkin Season

by Micaela Rosinski, intern contributor

Fall is quite possibly the best time of the year. It makes me giddy to watch leaves change colors, pull out comfy sweaters, and enjoy the cooling weather. But most importantly, it is the season of all things pumpkin. Pumpkin carving, pumpkin pies and lattes…it is all fantastic. However, if the proper safety precautions are not taken, pumpkin festivities can turn into pumpkin mishaps.

Pumpkin Carving Safety: Carving pumpkins is a great activity to do with the family in preparation for Halloween. However, knives and other sharp objects can prove to be dangerous if not handled properly. Never leave children unattended with any type of knife. Teach your children an appropriate, safe method for carving their pumpkin. Ensure the outside of the pumpkin is dry to prevent hands from slipping during the carving process. In the event someone does cut their hand, have your Red Cross first aid kit handy to sanitize and properly care for the wound. Or, download our first aid app...just in case.

Pumpkin Pies and Confections: If you dare to branch out from your favorite store-bought pie and attempt to make your own, always practice safe cooking. Cooking is a top cause of home fires in the United States. Check food regularly while cooking. Keep kitchen clean and organized at all times, and store a fire extinguisher nearby. For additional kitchen safety, visit redcross.org and enjoy a disaster-free pie!

Hot Drinks Galore: I lose count of how many pumpkin spice lattes I enjoy during autumn. Be careful consuming your drink of choice. Burning your tongue or the roof of your mouth can ruin the tasty experience. Also be sure to not spill your drink to avoid burning skin.

Be Aware of Allergies: Food allergies to pumpkin and pumpkin products are rare, but possible. Reactions can occur various ways. If hands and arms become itchy after playing with the wonderful guts of the pumpkin at carving time, simply wash your hands with soap and water to remove pumpkin residue. If there appears to be an allergic reaction after consuming pumpkin, closely monitor the reaction and see a medical professional if necessary. 

Gather Around the Fireplace: In front of the fireplace is a great spot to carve pumpkins, watch a holiday film, and enjoy moments with family and friends. If it has been an extended period of time since you have utilized the fireplace, ensure the chimney is clean and clear of anything that could cause a house fire. Also use a sturdy fire screen around the fireplace when in use, especially if there are children.

Pumpkin Patch: So, your child convinced you to buy the largest pumpkin they found at the pumpkin patch, or you personally thought it would be great. Be careful picking that bad boy up! Lift with your knees and ask for help if you feel it is too heavy to get to your car. Or, simply purchase two smaller pumpkins instead.

Fall is a fabulous time of year. With pumpkin madness thrown into the mix, the season just cannot be beat. So get carving, cooking and drinking, and make your home smell like an autumn festival!

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As the Holidays Arrive, North Texans Urged to Make Safety Plans Now

As the tangled lights and stockings find their way out of the attic, it can only mean one thing…the holidays are here! For some families though, their celebrations will turn to tragedy as the holidays also represent the busiest home fire season of the year. For the American Red Cross, the average number of daily house fires will double during the holiday season, going to as high as four per day.

Last year between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Eve, the American Red Cross Dallas Area Chapter responded to 134 house and apartment fires, helped 491 displaced people and spent more than $104,000 in the recovery efforts.

Each year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 1,300 people for injuries related to holiday lights and 6,200 people for injuries related to holiday decorations and Christmas trees. In addition, Christmas trees are involved in about 400 fires annually, resulting in 40 deaths, 80 injuries and an average of more than $15 million in property loss and damage each year.

Below are suggestions on how to safeguard your family from fire over the holidays.

Candles

Candles are a nice addition to any holiday celebration; however festivities can be cut short if candles are used improperly. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), December is the leading month for home candle fires, with twice the average number of incidents.

The NFPA and the Red Cross offer these candle safety tips:

• Secure candles in a sturdy holder on a flat surface that won't tip over.
• Make sure the holder is big enough to collect the dripping wax.
• Don't place candles in windows where blinds or curtains can close over them.
• Do not leave a burning candle unattended.
• If you experience a power outage, use flashlights and other battery-generated light sources.
• Do not carry a lit candle or use a lit candle to look for things in a closet or confined area.
• Place candles out of reach of children, and in a position where pets won't be able to knock them over.
• Do not use a candle for light when fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern, as flame may ignite the vapors.
• KEEP ALL MATCHES AND LIGHTERS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Home Heating

On average, more than one-third of home fire deaths in the United States occur during the winter months. Heating equipment fires are the second leading cause of fire deaths in American homes and the biggest fire culprit December through January. Here are some specific fire prevention tips to keep in mind when heating your home.

• Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn including furniture, bedding, clothing, pets and people.
• Do not leave space heaters on when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep.
• Do not use gasoline or other substitute fuel in a kerosene heater because the wrong fuel could burn hotter than the design limits of the equipment and cause a serious fire.
• Store kerosene away from heat or open flame in a container approved by the local fire department.
• Have your chimney inspected by a professional before the start of the heating season and cleaned if necessary.
• Use a sturdy fireplace screen when burning fires.
• Burn only wood. Never burn paper or pine boughs, which can float out the chimney and ignite your roof or a neighboring home.

Holiday Decorations and Christmas Trees

Christmas trees are directly responsible for around 14 fatalities every year.
Follow these safety tips while decorating your home for the holidays:

• If using a live Christmas tree, keep it watered daily.
• Never put a lit candle on a Christmas tree.
• Make sure your Christmas tree is far away from any source of ignition such as a space heater or candle.
• When putting holiday lights on the tree, follow the instructions recommended by UL Laboratories. Overloaded circuits are the cause of many home fires during the holiday season.

Kitchen Safety

Home fires often start in the kitchen. With more people in the home due to holiday parties and family gatherings, it is important to follow these precautions to avoid a holiday fire:

• Never leave the kitchen area while cooking.
• Keep plenty of oven mitts on hand.
• Have a working fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
• Keep children and pets away from the cooking areas. Falling pots and pans can burn children.

The early warning signal of a smoke detector can save lives. Be sure to install a battery-powered smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home. Use the test button to check each smoke detector once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. The Red Cross recommends you replace batteries at least once a year. Make a fire escape plan for your family and have a family meeting place outside your home. For free information in English or Spanish, visit the Red Cross web site.

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