Community Emergency Response Team
The Community Emergency Response Team’s (CERT) October meeting discussed safety tips for the holidays. The group spoke about the main hazards that residents need to be aware of such as proper lifting techniques, not drinking and driving (approximately 52% of fatal crashes happen during the holidays), cleaning-up broken ornaments, making sure to keep Christmas trees at least 3 feet away from heat sources and watering it often.
With all the excitement of the holidays, it’s so easy to slip, trip and fall; make sure to keep cords out of high traffic areas. Whether it’s decorating a tree or the home, use the correct tool, ladder or step stool. When using holiday lights, avoid frayed wires and use the right outlets. It’s important to have a fire extinguisher nearby especially because of all the flammables during the holiday season.
Make sure to not leave food standing too long on the table (like a turkey) to avoid food poisoning. It’s important to always have a designated driver when being served alcohol. LWers should be careful when they are around a lot of people in the stores, movie theaters or airports because this is the season for colds, COVID-19 and other illnesses.
CERT also discussed the idea of placing a cardboard sign in windows in case of a catastrophic event that says signifies safety on one side and needing help on the other side.
Each month CERT give a valuable gift to a lucky member. This month, it was Anne Killian’s turn when she won a folding stepstool.
Anne Killian (l) with CERT President Catherine O'Brien.
