Your home is likely to be full of people at Christmas, and accidents can quickly happen in the season’s excitement. Honestly, there have been many years that my husband has been on duty, and so many tragedies have occurred. He is a fireman; unfortunately, this is the most fun time of year, but for many families, it can be the saddest time of year. Remember to reach out to a friend, family neighbor, or anyone that you know who might be struggling with depression around this time of year and make time to give a listening ear, or any support to bring some joy into someone else’s life.
We encourage you to remember to do your best to keep safe this year! On the other hand, one of the good things about the holiday season is that there are typically more people around to help and keep an extra eye on the children, and with a little more care and planning, it could prevent most accidents.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Be Mindful of Poisonous Plants
- Never leave a burning candle unattended
- Donβt overload circuits, extension cords, or electrical sockets
- Practice Car Safety When Traveling
- Turn off tree lights, decorations, and portable space heaters when away or asleep
- Never throw wrapping paper in the fireplace
- Donβt Make the Tree a Fire Hazard
- Watch Out for Online Shopping Fraud
- Only use outdoor and indoor lights as indicated on their packaging
Pet Safety
Did you know that just like plants can be harmful to humans, it can also be harmful to pets. Donβt forget about your fur babies who can get into lots of trouble during the holidays, such as climbing the Christmas tree and tearing through decorations. We can get pretty busy and sometimes overlook what they are doing because we are distracted with guests. We want to remind you to pay close attention to your pet chewing on wires or consuming harmful plants.
PetMD lists these holiday plants to keep away from your pet: Amaryllis, Poinsettia, Holly and mistletoe, Lilies and daffodils and Christmas cactus.
Stay Sanitary
Remind friends, family, and guests to wash hands often with soap and water or sanitize with at least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Wipe high touch surfaces, often and tables down after gatherings.
This is the season everyone is still getting sick, colds, flu, sinus infections. If you can wear a mask, you will be very close to others. Of course please stay home if you or anyone in the family is sick. This will help with spreading the germs, viruses and sickness.
Home & Travel Safety
Notify your neighbor, if they can grab mail, and keep an eye out on the house.
Hide packages and gifts, away from windows
Check all Window locks in the home
Check car, and make sure maintence is up to date before taking a road trip
Health & Wellness
Be mindful of heart pain, or any symptoms that occur because many times you can confuse indigestion with heart pain.
Watch out for a hangover! Alcohol Consumption, if you are not normally a drinker be mindful of how much you are drinking. Always have a designated driver.
Overindulging around the holidays can be okay, but be mindful of the amount of sweets, and eating too much can cause nausea and sickness.
Have a Safe & Happy Holiday!