American Red Cross shares tips for a happy holiday

Staff The Claremore Daily Progress Sat Dec 12, 2009, 03:36 PM CST

December 14, 2009 — It is truly is the most wonderful time of year. Time to let food, revelry, presents and merriment meld another happy holiday.

And while you’re preparing holiday memories that will last forever, the American Red Cross wants you to keep in mind – the best holiday is a safe holiday.

It’s easy to plan a happy and safe holiday when you use these American Red Cross tips as your guide:

• Be a lifesaver during the holidays and always. The American Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED. The Rogers/Mayes/Wagoner County Service Center of the American Red Cross has conveniently scheduled courses; and can have you trained and certified in a few hours.

• Don’t move a muscle until they buckle. Each person in your vehicle should have their seatbelts securely fastened before driving off.

Ensure children are buckled up and their car seats are installed appropriately based on their age and size. Children 12 and under should always sit in the backseat.

• Make sure your sitter’s safe. Babysitters are at a premium during the holidays, but you still want to make sure you are leaving your little ones in capable hands.

Look for a sitter that is American Red Cross certified. American Red Cross sitters are trained in basic care, how to spot an emergency, safe play, first aid and some are certified in CPR.

If your favorite sitter is not American Red Cross trained, consider giving her or him a gift certificate to a course as an early present.

• Be the life of the party and designate a driver. When you designate a sober driver you help make sure a good party isn’t marred by tragedy.

A good host ensures there are non-alcoholic beverages available for drivers.

The designated driver should not drink any alcoholic beverages, not even one.

• Declare the kitchen a safety zone. Keep the kitchen off-limits to children while cooking. Turn handles inside and keep hot pans away from counter edges.

Help prevent choking by making sure children don’t walk, run, play or talk with food in their mouths.

• Remember “five-and-five” for choking. If the person is conscious and cannot cough, speak, breathe, ask them if they are choking and if you can help them.

Once you have consent to help, remember, give them “five-and-five”.

Lean the person forward and give five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades. If the object does not dislodge give five quick abdominal thrusts.

Continue the cycle of back blows and abdominal thrusts until the person can breathe or cough forcefully, the object is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.

If the person becomes unconscious call 9-1-1 right away. For more formation on the “five-and-five” procedure for choking, contact the Rogers/Mayes/Wagoner County Service Center of the American Red Cross.

• Unwrap it then trash it. Once the gifts are unwrapped, immediately discard all plastic wrapping, rubber bands and small objects children and pets can put in their mouth and choke on.

If you are looking for easy gift giving ideas, everything you need is just a phone call away. You can never go wrong when you give a gift (first aid kit, weather radio, ready to go disaster kit, gift certificate to take a CPR, First Aid and AED class) that can help keep someone safe.

For the conscientious pet owner, the American Red Cross has created study-at-home courses in Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid. They make a perfect gift for everyone you know with a canine or feline companion.

For more safety tips and gift giving ideas, please call the Rogers/Mayes/Wagoner County Service Center of the American Red Cross at (918) 343-1803 or come by the office at 400 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore.

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