For millions of homes, the holiday season would not be complete without decorations, twinkling lights, Christmas trees and candles.  Unfortunately these festive signs of the holiday season also can lead to injuries, and the American College of Emergency Physicians urges the public to keep safety in mind. 

"The holiday season is a hectic time for all of us, filled with activities and errands, and many people pay less attention to safety and end up in the emergency department," said Dr. Brian Keaton, ACEP spokesperson.  "The nation's emergency physicians urge people to take a little extra time and care as they go about enjoying the holidays and remember never to drink and drive." 

More than 12,000 people are treated in the nation's emergency rooms each year due to falls, cuts, electrical shocks and burns from faulty holiday decorations or accidents that occur while putting decorations in place, according to government statistics.  The holiday season also means parties where alcohol is served.  More than one thousand people in December 2004 were killed in car crashes involving a car or motorcycle driver with an illegal blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

ACEP offers the following safety tips to help the public avoid the most common injuries during the coming holiday season:

Outdoor Safety

• Clear snow and leaves from pathways and sprinkle salt on patches of ice.
• Check children's shoes, socks and gloves periodically to make sure they are dry while playing outdoors in cold weather to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.
• Find a safe place for children to sled. Make sure the area is free of fences, roadways, trees and other hazards. Choose a hill where children cannot reach fast, uncontrollable speeds.

Travel Safety

• Wear seatbelts at all times.
• Place all children under age 12 in the back seat and secure all children in appropriate safety restraints for their ages and sizes.
• Never drink alcohol and drive; if you do plan to drink alcohol, assign a designated driver.
• Be aware of your surroundings, including changes in weather or traffic patterns.

Candles and Fireplaces

• Keep lighters and candles away from children and never leave burning candles unattended.
• Have chimneys and fireplaces professionally inspected yearly to ensure they are safe to use and the chimney is unobstructed.

Decorations and Christmas Trees

• Check decorative lights to make sure they are not broken and the wires are not bare or frayed.
• Turn off all decorative lights before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Avoid using sharp decorations and ornaments.
• Keep Christmas trees away from fireplaces or other areas where high heat is present.
• When buying an artificial tree, be sure the label indicates it is "fire resistant."
• When buying a live tree, check for freshness (green, full of needles, sticky trunk). Fresh trees are less of a fire hazard and should be watered frequently.
• Use the appropriate size ladder for any decorating job and have someone help you.

General Tips

• Have a first-aid kit nearby.
• Know where the fire extinguisher is kept.
• Keep emergency telephone numbers by your telephone.