Tommy the Turtle’s tips can help save your life

One of the tools in our emergency management toolkit is a South Dakota Office of Emergency Management mascot known as Tommy the Turtle.

We have had Tommy the Turtle visit Brookings County in the past few years. This week’s article is a compilation of a few tips that Tommy the Turtle has given us.

Tommy Tips: Winter weather

Tommy loves all the outdoor activities that the winter season brings. The cold weather brings time to play in the snow, go sledding, and skating, and make snow angels and snowmen; however, Tommy wants everyone to remain safe while playing outdoors. These tips will help everyone enjoy winter activities safely:

• If you go to play outside, remember to use a buddy system with one or more friends so you can look out for each other. Children under 8 years old should always be supervised outside.
• You should choose a play area with a warm shelter nearby (near a home or a friends home).
• Remember to take a break and go inside to warm up and have a warm drink. In drier winter air you lose more water through your breath.
• Apply sunscreen, even when its cloudy.
• Make sure that you dress in layers of clothing that can be put on and taken off easily. If you are dressed too warm you can sweat and then feel colder when you stop playing.
• Make sure that you wear a hat because a lot of body heat is lost through the head. And cover your ears to prevent frostbite.
• Wear mittens instead of gloves so that fingers can be bunched together for warmth.
• Wear warm, waterproof boots that are roomy enough for an extra pair of socks and to wiggle toes.
• Make sure you play in areas away from roads, fences, and water.
• Take extra caution when crossing roads. It might be harder for drivers to see you playing if they have snowy or frosty windows or if there are snowbanks. Icy roads can also make it difficult to stop.

• Always a helmet when you snowboard, ski, or play hockey.
• Dont put metal objects in your mouth. Lips and tongues can freeze to the metal and cause an injury.
• Keep an eye on the weather because it can change quickly, and a sudden snowfall can make it hard to see.

Tommy wishes everyone a Happy Holiday Season! It is a wonderful time to gather with friends and family, eat delicious food, watch football and travel to visit loved ones. While enjoying the holiday, as things might get hectic, it is important to always keep safety in mind.

Top safety hazards during the holiday season include:

• Fire: Kitchen fires, candles, and outdoor deep fryers.
• Food: Choking and poisoning, cuts and burns during food preparation.
• Travel: Car accidents, driving while intoxicated or distracted.

Kitchen safety

• Keep children away from the stove.
• Do not leave the house while the turkey is cooking.
• Ensure the kitchen floor is kept clear and doesn’t have any trip hazards.

Holiday fire prevention tips

• Keep baking soda on hand to put out kitchen fires.
• Do not leave food cooking on the stove unsupervised.
• Make sure smoke alarms are working.
• A household fire extinguisher should always be nearby.
• Do not leave candles burning unattended and do not burn candles near

flammable items like curtains or potpourri.

Food safety

• Always wash your hands after handling raw or under-cooked poultry.
• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and produce to prevent cross-contamination.
• The USDA recommends cooking the turkey at a minimum of 325 degrees. Use a food thermometer and cook the turkey to an internal temperature of 165 to 180 degrees to ensure the turkey is cooked thoroughly and to avoid illness caused by consuming under-cooked poultry. Store leftovers within 2 hours or toss them.

Pet safety

• Never give pets turkey or chicken bones.
• Dogs should not be given onions, leeks, garlic, raisins, grapes, or chocolate.

Holiday travel safety

• Buckle up, every trip.
• Make sure your vehicle is well maintained.
• Plan your route ahead of time.
• Carry an emergency kit in the car.
• Be aware of weather conditions.
• Take caution in parking lots while out shopping.

Holiday decorating

• Check all holiday light cords to make sure they arent frayed or broken. Dont string too many strands of lights togetherno more than three per extension cord.

• If you are buying an artificial tree, look for the fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators, and other sources of heat.

• If getting a live tree, make sure its fresh and water it to keep it fresh. Bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.

• If using older or vintage decorations, check their labels. Some older tinsel is lead-based. If using angel hair, wear gloves to avoid irritation. Avoid breathing in artificial snow.
• When decorating outside, make sure decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.

• If using a ladder, be extra careful. Make sure to have good, stable placement and wear shoes that allow for good traction.

• Dont use electric lights on metallic trees. Dont forget to turn off all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house.
• Keep children, pets and decorations away from candles.
• If hanging stockings on the fireplace mantel, dont light the fireplace.

As always, keep an eye on the sky.

Bob the EM