7th ARMY SPECIAL TROOPS BATTALION

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7th ARMY SPECIAL TROOPS BATTALION
WINTER HOLIDAY SAFETY BRIEF
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AGENDA

• Holiday Decorating Safety
• Household fires
• Travel Safety
• Drinking and Driving (DONT DO IT!!!)

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Holiday Decorating Safety
CHRISTMAS TREE SET UP In retailing they say,
location, location, location. Its true for
Christmas trees also. Before you set up the tree
think about the location. Be sure that the tree
is not near any source of heat such as vent,
fireplace, space heater, and do not block doors.
Dont set yourself and your family up for a
Christmas fire.
Start with a fresh tree.
Try the tap method to check freshness if
the tree is on a lot.
How to do this and other tree safety information
can be found at http//www.christmastreesafety.co
m/ Christmas trees add a special touch to the
holiday season, but they also can be a fire
hazard. Here are some helpful tips to reduce the
risk of fire http//www.extension.iastate.edu/Pag
es/communications/holiday/xmastree.html Be sure
and keep plenty of water in your tree stand. It
should be checked every day and water replaced as
needed. Purchase a smoke detector ball for
your tree. They look like an ornament but will
sound an alarm if smoke is detected.
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Holiday Decorating Safety

• Holiday Safety Tips
• Never place lighted candles on a real or
  artificial tree.
• Always make sure holiday lights are unplugged
  before you go to bed or leave home.
• Keep lights away from carpeting, furniture,
  drapes and other combustible materials.
• Make sure all holiday lights and any artificial
  trees with built-in electrical systems are
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed. UL
  certification is the worldwide standard for
  product
• safety and quality.
• When you buy an artificial tree, choose one that
  is tested and labeled as fire resistant.
• When you buy holiday lights, choose miniature
  lights with cool-burning bulbs.
• Check all light strings for broken sockets,
  frayed cords, and loose connections. Replace

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Holiday Decorating Safety

• Holiday Safety Tips (cont.)
• Unplug a light string before replacing a bulb.
  Check the original package to verify
• proper wattage and voltage. Fasten bulbs securely
  and point the sockets down to avoid moisture
  build up.
• Avoid overloading a single wall outlet or
  extension cord with too many light sets. For
  example, do not place more than three light sets
  on any one extension cord. Overloads cause fires.
  
• Use only indoor lights inside the home and
  outdoor lights in the yard. Never use indoor
  extension cords outside.
• Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground
  and out of water.
• Make sure outdoor trees hung with holiday lights
  are not touching power lines.
• When hanging outdoor lights, do not hammer nails
  through electrical cords.

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Household fires

• Place candles in a holder that will not tip
• If you place candles in a window make sure they
  are clear of curtains or drapes
• Extinguish all candles before leaving or going to
  bed
• NEVER place lit candles on your tree

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Household fires

• Smoke detectors should be installed on each floor
  and outside each bedroom
• Dont place smoke detectors in kitchens where
  false alarms are common
• Test smoke detectors at least once a month and
  replace batteries annually
• Buy a fire extinguisher and inspect it frequently

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Travel Safety
Flight Travel
Confirm Your Trip Because of the rapid changes
in security and operating procedures, as well as
changes in the availability of flights, you
should contact the airline at least a day in
advance to confirm your flight. Depending on the
cause, you may be compensated for changes in
schedules or for overbooked flights. The
following provide information about how to deal
with these situations Review Security Issues and
Requirements Flying on aircraft and entering the
secure areas of airports should not be a hassle
or a concern, especially if you reveiw the
following information Airport Security Issues
Advice for the Infrequent Flyer Airport
Security Issues Dangerous and Prohibited Items
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Travel Safety
Flight Travel
Arrive Early Since September 11, going through
the passenger screening checkpoint has become
much slower. During busy times, the wait at many
major airports can be more than an hour, so
arriving at least two hours early is a good idea.
The following links offer advice on how to deal
with this increased level of security Keep
Your Identification and Ticket Within Easy Reach
You may be asked to show your ticket and photo
identification several times, so keep them with
you at all times. Expect Crowded Aircraft, So
Pack Carefully Holiday travel usually means
aircraft that are more crowded than usual. Also,
do not completely wrap any present in either
carry-on or checked luggage so that they can be
checked more easily by security screeners. You
can do your part by limiting the size and weight
of your carry-on luggage. For more luggage
hints, check out the following Baggage
Information Resources Carry-on Baggage Advice
Top Ten Baggage Tips
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Travel Safety
Road Travel

• Three P success!
• Prepare for the trip.
• Protect yourself and those you love
• Prevent crashes.

• Plan your trip with scheduled rest stops and
  activities for small children
• Leave an itinerary with a friend so someone knows
  where you are
• Dont overload your vehicle or obstruct your view
  with packages
• Avoid a heavy meal before leaving on a trip to
  prevent sleepiness.

• Get a good nights sleep before starting on the
  road
• Follow other vehicles at a safe distance
• If traveling in winter weather, carry emergency
  equipment such as first aid kit, blankets,
  compass, flashlight, flares, cell phone etc.
• Ensure proper winter vehicle maintenance
• ALWAYS BUCKLE UP!!!!

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Drinking and Driving
The Get Home Card can be acquired at the STB BOC
desk on Patton Barracks BLD 115.
FRONT
BACK
Contact Information USAREUR / 7A STB BOC
06221-17-7282 SGM PLT Sergeant Section
Sergeant Squad Leader
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Drinking and Driving
SIMPLE DONT DO IT!!!