Holiday Safety Tips

As we inch very close to Christmas and New Year’s, we want to ensure that you are keeping safety in mind! While we speak often about workplace safety, today we want to chat about safety tips at home to ensure you enjoy your celebrations as much as possible. So, as you get ready to gather with loved ones, keep the following tips in mind.

Fire Safety

While the twinkle of Christmas lights is one of the highlights of the season, they can lead to dangerous situations if not used and cared for properly. Follow these tips:

• Check lights: before hanging your lights, it’s important to inspect them for frayed wires, broken bulbs or sings of wear and tear.
• Turn off lights: always turn off your lights when leaving the house for an extended period, and before going to bed. This helps reduce the risk of fire.
• Avoid overloading circuits: plugging in too many decorations into one outlet can cause overheating. Therefore, use power bars with built-in circuit breakers and don’t overwhelm your outlets!

Christmas Tree Safety

Depending on whether you have a real tree, or an artificial one, there are some safety tips to keep in mind. For a real tree, ensure you water it frequently. A dry tree is a fire hazard and can catch fire more easily and quickly. For both real and artificial trees, you want to ensure that your tree is secured properly. Put it in a stable spot and place it away from fireplaces or heaters.

Cooking Safety

Nothing beats the smells and tastes of the holiday season! To ensure you, and your loved ones, enjoy each meal and treat, keep these tips in mind when in the kitchen:

• Never leave cooking unattended, especially when frying or using open flames.
• Ensure kids and children are kept at a safe distance from hot surfaces and stovetops.
• Make sure all ingredients are fresh and within their expiration dates.

Travel Safety

If you’re travelling during the winter, ensure your car is equipped for winter conditions. This includes snow tires, windshield washer fluid and an emergency kit. It’s also important to plan for delays, especially due to the weather conditions! Factor in extra time for this as well as traffic delays during the holidays. Staying updated on the weather forecast and road conditions will help you plan your route and adjust as needed.

Home Safety

If you are travelling, or leaving your home for long stretches of time, you want to ensure your home is secure. Keep these tips in mind when heading out:

• Lock your doors and windows.
• Use timers for lights.
• Ask a neighbour to take in deliveries.
• Have a friend or family member check your house.

Personal Safety

While it’s important to indulge and enjoy all the sights, sounds, and tastes of the holidays, keep your mental health in mind. For some, these next few weeks can be challenging and bring up various emotions. Therefore, remember to practice self-care and ensure you are checking in with yourself, and your needs.

No matter your plans, we hope everyone has a safe and healthy celebration. Be sure to keep these tips in mind and enjoy the festive holiday season fully!