In fairness, that might actually help. Well advised, Schroeder! :)
Thus beginneth your career as a nightstand lamp :p
The salamander incident is before this strip, so we know it’s not that one ;)
The noodle incident is first mentioned in 1990, so this could theoretically be it. However, if it’s something Santa was considering in 1990, it’s likely to have happened in 1989 rather than 1988. I would guess it is another incident.
In fairness, that might actually help. Well advised, Schroeder! :)