Top Tips for a Safe Holiday Season
The holiday season is busy for everyone. From wrapping gifts to hanging lights, there’s seemingly an endless list of to do’s. Unfortunately, for many Canadians, the Christmas season overlaps with snowy weather, dangerous driving conditions, and shorter days.
To ensure your holiday season is happy and safe, here’s a list of our top holiday safety tips for you to remember:
Use the fireplace with caution
It’s always nice to curl up in front of the fire during the holidays but do so with care. Whether you have a gas fireplace or a wood stove, any source of heat presents risks. Keep home decorations away from any heat sources and make sure the fire is out before leaving the house or going to bed.
Keep your home security system on
Unfortunately, the holiday season sees a huge increase in home break-ins. It’s important to make sure your home is secure all year round, but especially during the holidays. Keep doors and windows locked, garage doors closed, and make sure your alarm system is always set.
Safety first when hanging lights
Don’t sacrifice safety to make your outdoor Christmas lights look great. Hang lights carefully and make sure they are properly secured to your house. If you need a ladder, always do so with a partner. And if you need to walk on the roof, consider hiring a professional lights company. Great lights are not worth sacrificing safety.
Keep live trees watered
If you buy a real tree for the holiday season, remember that it needs to be watered regularly. Otherwise, your home is at serious risk if the tree does happen to catch a flame. While it’s unlikely that your tree will catch fire, it’s much more likely and much more catastrophic with a dry tree.
Avoid unattended cooking
Playing host or hostess is a big job, but it’s important to never leave food cooking while you’re not at home. While it might seem easier to leave the turkey in the oven while you run to the store, it could have serious consequences. Don’t spread yourself too thin and ask for help with food prep.
Give yourself extra travel time
Lots of people travel over the holidays, whether it’s overseas or to your grandparent’s house down the road. Regardless of where you’re going, leave yourself extra time to get there. Roads in the winter can be treacherous, so taking it slow and not rushing is a vital safety tip for both yourself and other drivers on the road.
Don’t leave gifts in plain sight
When you’re doing your Christmas shopping, don’t leave your gifts, shopping bags, or purse in plain sight in your car. Lots of people will take shopping bags back to their car while shopping, but this puts you at risk of car theft. Avoid the hassle and keep valuables with you at all times.