We may imagine the nanny state is a new notion but just before Christmas in 1983, the nannies of the ACT Consumer Affairs Bureau and Department of Territories and Local Government issued a nanny-natured leaflet Merry Christmas, with Safety, composed by an imaginative catastrophist worry wort.
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ArchivesACT has stumbled across this artefact and has crowned it the Archives' ''Find of the Month''.
Of Christmas trees the leaflet alerts that: ''A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. A fresh tree is green. When the trunk of a tree is bounced on the ground a shower of falling needles shows that the tree is too dry.''
''Snow. Artificial snow sprays can irritate the lungs if inhaled. To avoid, read container labels … follow directions carefully.''
''Candles. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens …''
''Lights. Keep 'bubbling' [flickering] lights away from children. Such lights are hazardous because their bright lights and bubbling movements can tempt children to break the candle-shaped glass, which can cut, and then to drink the liquid, which contains a harmful chemical.
''Trimmings. Where possible, use only non-combustible or flame-retardant materials. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or non-leaded materials. Keep tinsel clear of tree lights. Leaded materials are harmful if ingested by children or pets. Avoid trimmings that resemble confectionery or food. A child could eat them.''
