Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/618165
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 DECEMBER 2015 Christmas III H ave a wild, witty, warm Christmas at Valletta Waterfront! We have an array of free festive activities for all ages planned throughout December. Choose from a mix of quality restaurants, bars and shops. Stay cosy indoors, or take in the stunning Grand Harbour views while dining in heated outdoor terraces. Enjoy quality time with family, colleagues and friends, and ensure Valletta Waterfront is your destination of choice this winter. www.vallettawaterfront.com/christmas Flat rate parking from €2.50 Christmas Cheers and Celebrations Keeping safe during the holidays CHRISTMAS brings with it a number of traditions, including a decorated tree, the exchange of gifts and big family gather- ings. Here are a couple of tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe during this special time. Make sure you buy children's gifts for the correct age group and from reputable sources that comply with standards Look out for small items that could pose a choking hazard to young children, including parts that have fallen off toys or from Christmas trees, button batter- ies and burst balloons About 2,200 deaths were caused by fires, burns and other fire-related injuries in 2013, according to Injury Facts 2015, and 12% of home candle fires occur in December, the National Fire Protection As- sociation reports. Increased use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations present in many homes means more risk for fire. Never leave burning candles unattended or sleep in a room with a lit candle. Keep can- dles out of reach of children and make sure candles are on stable surfaces. Don't burn candles near trees, curtains or any other flammable items Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fireplace. If you have a fireplace, check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at least once a year. If you have old Christmas lights, seriously consider buy- ing new ones, which will meet much higher safety standards, keep the lights switched off until the Christmas tree is dec- orated, don't let children play with lights (to prevent them from accidentally swallowing bulbs), and remember to switch off the lights when going out of the house or going to bed. Give yourself enough time to prepare and cook Christmas dinner to avoid hot fat, boiling water and sharp knife acci- dents that come from rushing, and keep anyone not helping with dinner out of the kitchen. Wipe up any spills quickly. Practice good food hygiene – use different cutting boards for different foods, make sure raw food is cooked through and chill leftovers quickly. Beware of trailing cables and wires in the rush to connect new gadgets and appliances, and always read instructions. Falls are the most common accidents so try to keep clutter to a minimum. Make sure stairs are well lit and free from ob- stacles, especially if you have guests. Do not drink and drive, and plan long journeys so you won't be driving tired. Many people join their families for Christmas or New Year's day meals, leaving their own houses unattended and making them easy targets for burglars. Make sure your alarm system, if you have one, is acti- vated. Leave a light and maybe a radio on, to give the impres- sion that someone's home and keep valuables out of view of windows. Don't forget the four-legged members of the family. Choco- late, raisins, a variety of fruit and vegetables are toxic to dogs and feeding table scraps can upset their stomachs. Bones from leftovers can pose a choking hazard. Stick to their usual dog food and any treats should be specifically produced for pets.