With the holiday season and festivities approaching, keep the following safety tips in mind if you choose to decorate at work or at home:
- Inspect Electrical Equipment: Ensure all lights, extension cords, and decorations are in good condition and have an accredited certification mark, such as CSA, cUL, or cETL. Check for damage, fraying, or kinks. Avoid using nails, tacks, or staples to hang lights.
- Avoid Overloading Circuits: Limit the number of decorations per outlet and avoid daisy-chaining power strips or extension cords.
- Turn Off When Not in Use: Turn off lights and electrical decorations when leaving work or home, going to sleep, or when not in use.
- Prevent Tripping Hazards: Secure cords and keep them out of walkways.
- Proper ladder use: Review proper procedures for use of any elevated surfaces, including ladders or stools.
- Use LED Lights: Opt for energy-efficient LED lights, which are less likely to overheat.
- Flame Sources: Never leave open flames or candles unattended. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Candles should not be used in the workplace – opt for artificial ones instead.
Visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website for additional considerations and information.
Whether at home or in the workplace, be prepared in the event of an emergency. Identify emergency exit routes and gathering points. In the event of a fire,
- Leave the building via the nearest exit immediately;
- Close doors behind you and leave them unlocked;
- Gather outdoors at muster points located a safe distance from the building, out of the way for emergency services to attend, and remain there until the “all clear” is given by the fire department, Security, or a Fire Warden; and
- Remain calm.
The online Trent map has been updated to include assembly locations, which you can find under the heading for Campus Safety. Please familiarize yourself with the location of muster points closest to your work areas. To view the University’s Fire Safety Plans and a list of certified fire wardens for each building, visit the Health and Safety portal.
Enjoy a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.
Trent University’s Multi-Site Joint Health and Safety Committee