Staying Safe This New Year’s Eve with Some Helpful Tips

The New Year is just around the corner which means that thousands of Belizeans will be celebrating this joyous holiday. And to bring in 2019, the celebration starts on New Year’s Eve. During the time of such festivities, there are increased dangers that adults and children alike are exposed to. So, the National Fire Service has some tips to help you to stay safe and better prepare for these potential hazards so that you can enjoy your holiday. Here’s more from the fire department’s Orin Smith.

Orin Smith

Orin Smith, Station Officer, National Fire Service

“Those families that have young children are advised if they plan to go out, leave them under the care of a responsible adult. By all means, do not leave children to look after children. When I say responsible adult, I mean someone who is not really a senior citizen that cannot keep up with the activities of these children, but someone who is of good age, mature enough and responsible enough and is able to keep up with their activities. In terms of the fire crackers, in particular sparkles do not leave children unsupervised to play with these items; they are dangerous, they can harm and if used incorrectly they can create fire. Do not put firecrackers under glass bottles because when they break they can fragment and cause injury to those in the immediate area. Don’t leave matches, lighters, lighted candles in easy reach of children. Children learn by imitating what they see adults do and they will attempt to play with these items when a supervising adult is not around. But they will not exercise the care a supervising adult would. Therefore, teach the children at an early age that these are tools for adults to use and not toys for children to play with.”