The holiday season is in full swing. With that said, accidents related to travel, decorating, and celebrating can occur. Luckily, many are highly preventable. Here are twelve safety tips to employ during this busy time of year:
1. Be sure your vehicle is in decent running condition. When in your vehicle, practice safe driving distances and avoid speeding in icy or snow conditions.
2. Avoid driving when tired. Rather, get plenty of rest and never drive short or long distances when you are not alert. Additionally, drive sober and do not allow others to drive after drinking.
3. Be very careful when hanging holiday decorations. Use the appropriate type of ladder for your task. Do not use wobbly ladders nor use furniture in place of step stools or ladders. If you feel uncomfortable with heights, hire someone to hang your holiday lights.
4. For ladder safety, use three points of contact on the ladder. For example, two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. Also do not lean off the ladder to complete tasks.
5. Have working fire and carbon monoxide detectors in the home. Test them/change batteries as required to make sure they are in good working order.
6. Inspect all your holiday lights before hanging them. Do not use lights or other devices with broken sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections.
7. Do not overload your outlets. Never plug more than two appliances into an outlet at once nor piggyback extra appliances on extension cords or wall outlets. For power strips or extension cords, avoid plugging in more than the recommended allowance as defined by the manufacturer.
8. Check that your Christmas tree is fresh and check water levels daily. Locate tree away from sources of heat.
9. When using holiday candles, do not leave them unattended. It’s best to opt for battery operated candles when used near decorations that can catch fire and burn easily.
10. Before using your fireplace, have it inspected annually and cleaned regularly. Use a screen to keep embers in place.
11. Use caution in selecting decorations and ornaments, especially in homes with children and pets. Avoid those which are highly breakable, sharp, or have little pieces.
12. Practice self-care and prioritize your needs during the holiday season to avoid burnout.
These twelve tips are a mini sampling of ways to maintain safety while embarking on seasonal activities. Using a combination of common sense, wisdom, and responsible behavior, it is possible to avoid disasters and enjoy the holiday season to the fullest.
Sources:
www.redcross.com (10 holiday safety tips)
www.cdc.com (Holiday safety tips)
cpsc.gov (Holiday safety)
www.statefarm.com (Simple Holiday safety tips)
National Safety Council (Enjoy a safe holiday season)
LAPD online (Holiday safety tips)
