Christmas holiday safety tips for you & your family
The holiday season is not the time to be dealing with the added stress of an unexpected home fire or food poisoning. For many of us, Christmas and the holidays bring a lot of happiness and cheer – but it can also mean a lot of work and preparation. When you hang those stockings over the chimney with care, you may want to reconsider what “care” looks like – because with all those fires, dry paper, and old lights, there’s always the potential for disaster.
Panda7 wants your Christmas and holiday season to go off without a hitch. It’s the time for singing carols around the fireplace – not having to deal with the ramifications of an unexpected loss when the season is all about spending time with your family.
Be on your toes about fire safety
The holiday season is potent with fire hazards, from that dry tinsel to the Christmas tree being stood up too close to the fireplace. While all the warmth and glowing lights can be great for holiday cheer, they can be a prominent fire hazard. Check your light sets before setting them up and assess for any frayed wires, broken sockets, or otherwise. Indoor lights should be used indoors, and outdoor lights should be kept outdoors – always.
If you use a real tree, ask your tree vendor to chop off around 2” of the trunk to ensure that water can be absorbed easier – a dry tree is kindling for a flame. Always ensure that your tree is kept away from fireplaces and radiators. Artificial trees should be fire resistant.
Keep an eye out for scams online when doing your shopping
For many of us, Christmas might be looking a little different this year. With everything that’s been happening in the recent few years, we’ve been forced to adjust. This may mean meeting with loved ones over Zoom or FaceTime rather than in-person, exchanging gifts via delivery, and so on.
Because of the way that things are, many of us might be doing our shopping online this year. There’s a lot of fraud that occurs during this time of year, so it’s important to ensure that every website you go through has a secure address (and is spelled correctly!) and uses an “s” in its address – (the “s” means “secure.”) Moreover, you’ll want to keep an eye on your email to ensure that you aren’t falling victim to any unsolicited emails.
Avoid cross contamination with your food
Christmas is a great time to enjoy a turkey and other special holiday goodies with family and friends. Unfortunately, if there’s a lot of raw meat being dealt with (like your turkey or ham) you’ll have to practice proper food safety, or you could really risk this holiday going down in history. Ensure that all raw meat is kept away from fresh produce, that cutting boards and utensils are washed down after they’ve been in contact with any food item, and that you are using a meat thermometer.
Be safe when distributing alcohol
Christmas and New Years are both popular times to get indulgent with the wine or champagne, but both holidays can bring about disaster if folks get too wild. It is always important to be mindful when alcohol is being served and, if people will be driving home following a party or gathering, to limit consumption or avoid alcoholic beverages altogether.
Avoid poisonous plants or keep them secure and away from pets
Pets get into everything – especially during the holiday season, when toxic items can potentially be left out for animals to get into. Chocolate, mistletoe, coffee, alcohol, grapes, and onions are a no-go for dogs and cats, and human medicines should never be left out in the open. Some plants can be hazardous as well, such as aloe, lily, marijuana, sago palm, azalea, and tulips. Either secure these items well away from pets or avoid bringing them into the house altogether.
While Christmas is a time for cheer and spending time with our loved ones, it can be hazardous if we aren’t careful. Take the time to do your due diligence as a homeowner or renter and scour the place for any potential issues. It is always better to be safe than sorry when all you want to do during the holidays is relax and enjoy your time with your loved ones!
