112 – help is nearby! Soon, soon it will be the New Year!
The New Year! How many pleasant memories from childhood it evokes in every adult: gifts under a large and lush Christmas tree, the first meeting with Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden, snowdrifts and sledding down the hill. Back then, we never thought that something bad could happen to us on such wonderful days. Over time, year by year, we begin to understand more and more that this holiday conceals as many dangers as it does joys.
Firecrackers, party poppers, and sparklers have long become common attributes of celebrations almost all over the world. The number and variety of pyrotechnic products only increase each year, and unfortunately, the number of injuries from their use grows in the same proportion.
Adults now face a primary task – to maximize the safety of themselves and their children from the dangers of the New Year. A firework accidentally flying into a window can easily cause a fire, firecrackers exploding in hands can cause injuries, and walking on frozen bodies of water can lead to irreversible consequences.
Each of us wants this holiday to remain in memory only with good and positive emotions. Therefore, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reminds us of the dangers that one of the best holidays of the year may conceal.
New Year’s Tree
Installation. The tree should stand on a sturdy base and be securely fastened so that it cannot be knocked over by small children or a cat that suddenly decides to play with the decorations. The tree should be placed away from heating batteries and electrical appliances. It is advisable to consider the distance to the baby’s crib – at night, the large silhouette of the tree may scare the little one. The most suitable place is a corner away from the passage. There, the tree will not interfere with anyone.
With such safety measures, one can be sure that even if the tree is touched during a child’s play, it will not fall and injure anyone. Candles should not be placed near the tree. Any careless movement can lead to a fire.
Decoration. Do not make “snow” from cotton or any other easily flammable materials: an unfortunate spark from a sparkler can set the entire structure ablaze. When decorating the New Year’s tree, do not use candles: an open flame can become an unpleasant “highlight” of the holiday. Refrain from homemade ornaments made of flammable materials.
A bit about garlands and illumination. The garland should be of high quality, certified, safe, and its insulation should be dense, flexible, and without external damage, with bulbs that are enclosed. The mode switch box should not easily bend. The garland’s operation should be checked in advance before hanging it, paying special attention to problem areas: the connection of the wire to the plug, the wire to the mode switch, and the wire to the bulbs.
When decorating the tree, try not to lower the garlands close to the floor, as they may be snagged by children or pets. A tree with New Year’s ornaments can tip over and cause electric shock. Also, one of the important rules is to not leave the garlands turned on at night or when no one is home. When it comes to illumination, the decoration should be carried out by specialists with the appropriate qualifications. Do not create light effects using chemicals and other substances, sparklers, and party poppers – they can ignite the tree.
Pyrotechnics (it’s worth reminding)
From simple party poppers to super-modern fireworks and firecrackers – the assortment of pyrotechnics impresses with its variety. Such products become especially popular before winter holidays – there are always many enthusiasts eager to “light up” on New Year’s Eve. However, sometimes such “fun” results in serious injuries.
There can be several reasons: questionable product quality, improper storage, or violation of operating rules. But everything can be managed, the main thing is to approach it responsibly.
Purchase. First of all, forget about pyrotechnic products from under the counter – buy them only in specialized stores. Do not agree to more advantageous offers – your eyes and hands in case of an emergency will cost more. Ask the seller for a safety certificate. Pay attention to the expiration date (as a rule, pyrotechnics are stored for no more than three years) and the instruction (must be in Belarusian or Russian), which should be studied.
Examine the packaging and the product itself: there should be no defects, the fuse should be sealed or hidden under the wrapper.
Purchased. Where to store? The room should be dry and free of any sources of fire. Pyrotechnics should not be kept near heating batteries. For example, a balcony or kitchen is not suitable as storage: the product may either get damp (do not dry it) and in the best case will not work, or in the worst case – it will fire with a delay at the most inappropriate moment. Or conversely, gradually heating up, it may go off spontaneously.
Launch. The most responsible moment – pyrotechnics in action. Do not rely on your past knowledge – before launching, be sure to read the instructions again: each product has its own features, be attentive.
Important! For home use – at most sparklers, other pyrotechnics belong outdoors. It is also not advisable to launch fireworks from a balcony. An open area free from buildings, trees, and flammable objects is required for launching. Important conditions – calm weather and a distance of 30 meters or more from power lines. Spectators should step back to the distance indicated in the instructions. The fuse should be lit at arm's length. At the same time, do not direct the firework towards people. If the pyrotechnics do not work – do not attempt to relight it, do not lean over it to find out what happened.
Speaking of balconies
Just one piece of advice. Due to poor-quality pyrotechnics or improper handling, discarded cigarette butts, and possibly launched “Chinese lanterns,” a balcony can catch fire – this can be avoided simply by closing the balcony frame.
Winter Holidays
When staying home with children for a few days, parents often face the question: what to do if all games have been played, books reread, and construction sets assembled?
Now is the time to think about safety. We present you with activities that will help make the time spent at home not only preserve health but also learn a lot of new and interesting things. All you need is access to the internet. We promise, these methods will benefit not only children but also adults!
TOP-5 activities with children during the holidays from rescuers
1. Watch the Ministry of Emergency Situations animated series “The Magic Book” about the exciting adventures of the restless Bird, the curious Hare, the clever Beaver, and the unlucky Wolf! and “Special Unit 112” about four-legged rescuers – the cool Profi, the blogger Laika, the genius Einstein, the master of jokes and adventures Yo-yo, and the smart Athena, who know all the safety rules.
2. Take the “Safety Test” on the website 112.by/test;
3. Check out the “Multimedia” section on the 112.by website and find an activity you like: watch movies, listen to fairy tales, play games, color coloring pages, or read books from rescuers;
4. Download the Ministry of Emergency Situations app “Help Nearby” and improve your knowledge of safety rules with tests and guides;
5. If you are a parent of a small child – be sure to study the 3D map with dangerous places for toddlers in the house. It can be found in the Ministry of Emergency Situations app “Help Nearby” in the “Encyclopedia” section – “Tips for Young Mothers.”
And may the upcoming 2024 year be successful and fruitful for you, a year of new opportunities and achievements, filled with bright events and good deeds. May it bring joy, new impressions, hopes, and optimism, and may your beloved work bring satisfaction, new knowledge, and accomplishments. We sincerely wish you good health, well-being, inexhaustible life energy, peace and warmth in your homes, the fulfillment of all your most cherished wishes, and may everyone find their own happiness, family harmony, and home comfort this year.
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