Seasonal Health &Safety

It will soon be Christmas and that brings with it more worries for Health and Safety advisors. "Oh no" I hear you say, "Do those Health and Safety people want to abolish Christmas?" "Is Health and Safety going to stop us giving presents and having parties?"

Definitely NOT! The more presents the better as far as I am concerned and that goes for parties as well BUT did you know?

• Between 1996 and 200131 peo ple in the UK died because they watered their Christmas tree while the tree lights were switched on.

• In 2000 18 people received se rious burns while trying on their new Christmas jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth.

• In 3 years 19 people died when they ate the Christmas tree decorations thinking they were chocolate.

And in 2001 four people broke an arm pulling Christmas crackers, at least that was what they told the hospital.

Although all these statistics come from the UK I'm sure doctors in Gibraltar could come up with a few similar stories.

So what are the Health and Safety issues with Christmas, apart from paying for it that is?

Real Christmas trees can have lots of resin in them and that can make them very flamma ble. So watch out for lit candles or matches catching the branches.

19 People Died When They Ate Tree Decorations Thinking They Were Chocolate

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Bruce Hogg BDSiHunsi DENTAL SURGEON

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Christmas lights. Have they been rolled up and stuffed into the back ofa cupboard? Well how about get ting them checked to make sure they are OK. At least have a look at them and check the cable is be ing properly gripped in the plug and there are no cracks in the insu lation, or even signs of burning. Please do thisbefore you plug them in to check the lights are still work ing.

Decorations. Where are you go ing to put these? Is there a suitable stepladder to put them up or will someone climb up on a desk or chair. Or will someone drill a hole in the top of their hard hat to have their own personal mini tree. This did happen in one workplace and not only did he have a mini Christ mas tree he had flashing lights as well run from a battery inside his hat. Please don't try this one your self. Not only is it very dangerous to interfere with the integrity of protective equipment but it could also be classed as a breach of health and safety legislation, resulting in a fine. As it was Christmas the man ager involved is sued a new hard hat, but he did re mind ail the staff that his Christmas spirit would not be so generous if it happened again.

Some of these comments apply equally well at home as at work. At work there is a requirement forem ployers to make sure that electrical items are tested and safe for use but what happens at home?

'Take safety home' and check the electrical plugs and cables around the house are in good condition. Use a stepladder or step stool to put up the decorations. Make sure the children know which decorations are the chocolate ones and have a safe and happy Christmas.