Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Practice a Safe Holiday Season



It’s a time for giving, for remembering, and for being grateful for all your blessings as you gather round with loved ones. It can also be a time when predators prey on the unsuspecting. Compiled below is a list of safety concerns that will help you get through the holidays a little more safely.

Holiday Shopping Safety
·         Keep all doors locked and windows closed when you are away from your vehicle. This will help prevent thieves from easy access to your valuables.
·         Never leave your car unoccupied while it is running. (And as a reminder, don’t leave children unattended in the car either for their safety too)
·         When leaving your vehicle, make sure all valuables are out of sight. If you must leave something in your car, put it in the trunk where it is out of sight.
·         Always stay alert when walking to and from your car in parking lots and garages. Thieves will prey on those that are least expecting it or aware of it.

Fire Safety
·         Keep candles, matches and lighters out of reach of children.
·         Never leave burning candles unattended. Better yet, use battery-operated candles instead!
·         Do not burn candles near flammable items, especially near Christmas trees.
·         Check and clean the chimney at least once a year. That way when you use it for burning wood, the chimney will work properly.  
·         Do not overload electrical outlets as this can cause fires. Only plug in one high-wattage appliance into each outlet at a time.

Tree Safety
·         Decorate the tree with kids in mind; move ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks toward the top of the tree.
·         Always use a proper step ladder when putting decorations up high.
·         When putting up lights, make sure there are no exposed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.
·         If you have a real tree, keep it fresh by watering it daily. Dry trees are a fire hazard.
·         Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.

Poison Safety
·         Decorating the home with festive plants around this time of year is very popular. But some of these plants have berries that can be poisonous if enough are ingested. The most common are mistletoe berries, holly berries, poinsettias, and Jerusalem cherry. Please keep these out of reach of children.
·         Did you know if you swallowed a button battery, it could potentially explode in your stomach? If swallowed and undetected, the batteries can do serious damage to the gastrointestinal system. Keep these batteries out of reach of children. And if a child does ingest it, call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate help. 
·         Food poisoning can be the pits! Check out the www.foodsafety.gov website for holiday food safety tips.

Travel Safety
·         Make sure all your doors and windows are locked in the home before leaving.
·         If you have an alarm, make sure to turn it on while you are out of town.
·         Have a neighbor or family member watch your house, pick up your mail and even park in your driveway periodically, if possible.
·         Leave a radio or television on so the house sounds occupied.
·         Make sure expensive items or gifts in your home are not visible through windows or doors.
·         If you have a Christmas tree, make sure it is placed in water or wet sand to keep it fresh.
·         Always remember to wear your seat-belt and practice cautious driving, especially if road conditions are bad.
·         Never drink and drive.
·         If you are involved in an accident, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for help.
·         For winter driving safety tips, please visit the National Safety Council link here.

Whether you travel this holiday season or stay at home, please have a safe and cheerful time. If you ever find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 for help.