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6 Tips for a Safe Holiday Season

Happy family and friends with sparklers celebrating Christmas at home

With the holiday season in full swing, you’re probably humming Christmas carols on your drive home and failing miserably to resist the tsunami of sweet treats that seem to appear daily in the office lunch room.

Before you dive into your last-minute preparations and settle down to enjoy festive fun with family and friends, take a moment to consider these useful safety tips.

1

Don't forget to shovel.

Be sure to keep your driveway and walkways clear of snow and ice so that guests can make it safely into the house. But, before reaching for de-icer remember that it can play havoc with local water supplies through run off. Consider using sand or kitty litter for added traction. If you need to use a de-icer, try to use one that’s chloride free and apply it only where necessary.
2

Keep your Christmas tree fresh.

If you’ve opted for a cut Christmas tree, remember that a well-hydrated tree not only retains its needles longer, it’s also less likely to pose a fire hazard compared to a dry one. Remember to water your tree regularly to prevent it from drying out.
3

Turn off your Christmas lights overnight.

This may be the year you’ve decided to dazzle your neighbours with an epic holiday display, but there's no need to keep your lights twinkling all night long. Remember to turn off all your Christmas lights before going to bed or put them on a timer so they switch on and off automatically. Even with modern LED bulbs, this will save on electricity and cut your costs. It's also more eco-friendly and reduces your risk of a fire.
4

Be careful of electrical hazards.

Using lots of Christmas lights can be festive, but don’t be tempted to overload extension cords and electrical sockets. Even more importantly, don’t tuck extension cords under your carpets in an effort to eliminate tripping hazards. Once cords are covered by a rug, there is little to no airflow around them and may cause them to overheat. Instead run your cords behind furniture and out of the way of busy feet.
5

Enjoy the festive cheer responsibly.

Holiday celebrations seem to go hand-in-hand with festive cheer, notably the alcoholic kind. Some guests may be tempted to have a little bit more than they’d intended. Make sure that you have planned for alternative arrangements for family and friends to either get a safe drive home or to stay over. Of course, planning ahead applies you if you intend to attend any holiday celebrations.
6

Don't tempt would be thieves.

If you are lucky enough to get some fun toys from Santa this Christmas (flat screen tv, gaming computer, or fancy bike) don’t be tempted to share this information with the entire neighbourhood. Be careful how you dispose of packaging in your recycling after the holidays to discourage potential thieves. Break down cardboard and turn inside out to hide obvious logos and printing.

Now that you know what to watch out for, it’s time to whip up some hot cocoa and relax in time to enjoy the festive season with your nearest and dearest.

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