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Your Holiday is Happy, But is it Safe? BANGOR--Kathryn Zwicker of the Maine Department of Human Services will present "Family Safety Around the Winter Holidays" on Tuesday, December 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p..m. at Penquis CAP offices in Dover-Foxcroft, Bangor and Lincoln. Bangor and Lincoln are videoconferencing sites. This workshop will provide safety information on Christmas trees, using lights, burning candles, holiday decorations, toys and plants. Consumer Product Safety information and pamphlets on safety issues will be available. Approximately 8,700 people go to hospital emergency rooms annually for injuries associated with holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. An estimated 400 fires each year around the holidays result in 20 deaths, 70 injuries and an average of more than $15 million in property loss. Toys also can be a source of danger. The National Safe Kids Campaign reports that at least 17 children ages 7 and under died from toy-related injuries in 2000. In the same year, over 150,000 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries. Cheri Snow, division manager within Penquis CAP's Family Enrichment Services department, said, "Many of the tragedies we hear about during the holidays are easily preventable. We encourage everyone to attend this workshop to learn what they can do to help their families have a safe and happy holiday season." The workshop is free but registration is required. For more information or to register, call 564-7116 (Dover-Foxcroft), 973-3672 (Bangor) or 794-3093 (Lincoln). |