Safety at the Heart of Your Celebrations: Holiday Safety Tips for the Whole Family
The holiday season is a time for family gatherings, festive decorations, delicious meals, gift-giving, and travel. From Thanksgiving through the New Year, families are busier than ever, and safety can sometimes take a back seat to the excitement.
Whether you’re traveling to visit loved ones, decorating your home, preparing a holiday feast, or shopping for gifts, taking a few extra precautions can help prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.
Here are five important ways to make safety part of your holiday celebrations.
1. Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared!
Holiday travel often means busy roads, unpredictable winter weather, and longer trips. Before heading out, make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey and that everyone is prepared for the unexpected.
Keep these road safety tips in mind:
Prepare your vehicle: Check your tires, brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and fluid levels. Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle.
Get plenty of rest: A good night’s sleep can help prevent drowsy driving.
Plan ahead: Allow extra travel time for traffic, weather conditions, and unexpected delays.
Buckle up: Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt, regardless of the distance traveled.
Avoid distractions: Put your cell phone away and keep your attention on the road.
Drive defensively: Adjust your speed for road conditions and maintain a safe following distance.
Never drive impaired: Alcohol, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and other substances can affect your ability to drive safely. Designate a sober driver or arrange another safe ride after holiday celebrations.
Remember, arriving safely is always more important than arriving on time!
2. Decorate Safely
Holiday decorating is a fun way to bring the season to life, but decorations can also create safety hazards if not handled properly. From Christmas trees and lights to ladders and ornaments, a little extra care goes a long way.
Before decking the halls, remember to:
Keep potentially poisonous holiday plants, including mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis, out of reach of children.
If using an artificial tree, look for one labeled fire-resistant.
If choosing a live tree, cut approximately two inches from the bottom of the trunk before placing it in water. Keep the tree watered and remove it once it becomes dry.
Position trees at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources. Make sure trees do not block doorways or exits.
Keep fragile ornaments and decorations with small, detachable parts away from young children’s reach.
Use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors.
Inspect holiday lights and replace any with cracked sockets, frayed wires, exposed wiring, or loose connections.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how many light strands can safely be connected.
Use the proper ladder for hanging decorations, and never nail or tack through electrical wiring.
Turn off holiday lights and decorations before going to bed or leaving home.
A beautiful holiday display is even better when everyone can enjoy it safely!
3. Watch Out for Fire Hazards
Candles, fireplaces, holiday decorations, and seasonal cooking can increase the risk of house fires. Taking simple precautions can help protect your home and loved ones.
Candles and Fireplaces
Candles and fireplaces create a cozy holiday atmosphere, but they should always be used with care.
Keep candles away from anything that can burn and place them where children and pets cannot reach them.
Never leave a burning candle unattended or allow it to burn while sleeping.
Consider flameless candles as a safer alternative, especially near decorations.
Keep matches and lighters stored in a locked cabinet and out of children’s reach.
Always use a fireplace screen when a fire is burning.
Never burn Christmas trees, wreaths, or wrapping paper in your fireplace.
Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned at least once a year.
Turkey Fryers
Fried turkey may be a holiday favorite, but outdoor turkey fryers can pose serious fire and burn risks. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported hundreds of turkey-fryer-related fires, burns, and other injuries.
The National Safety Council discourages the use of turkey fryers at home. Consider purchasing a professionally prepared fried turkey or using an oil-less fryer instead.
If you choose to fry a turkey, carefully follow the U.S. Fire Administration’s turkey fryer safety recommendations.
4. Food Safety Is No Joke
Holiday meals bring everyone together, but improper food handling can lead to foodborne illness. Whether you’re preparing a large family dinner or enjoying leftovers, food safety should always be part of the recipe.
Follow these important food safety practices:
Wash your hands frequently when preparing or handling food.
Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from fresh produce and ready-to-eat foods.
Use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils for raw and cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Use a food thermometer to make sure meats reach a safe internal cooking temperature.
Refrigerate perishable foods and leftovers within two hours of serving.
Cut leftover turkey into smaller pieces before refrigerating so it cools more quickly.
Properly refrigerated Thanksgiving leftovers should be eaten within three to four days.
When in doubt, throw it out! Proper food handling helps keep your holiday meals enjoyable and your family healthy.
5. Give the Gift of Safety
Finding the perfect gift is part of the holiday fun, especially when shopping for children. But before purchasing that exciting new toy or riding gift, take a moment to consider its safety.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these helpful reminders:
Choose toys that are appropriate for a child’s age and developmental abilities. Age recommendations are based on safety, not just intelligence or physical ability.
Avoid toys with small parts for children under three, as they can present choking hazards.
For children under ten, avoid toys that require plugging into an electrical outlet.
Be especially cautious with toys containing button batteries or powerful magnets, which can cause serious internal injuries if swallowed.
If giving scooters, bicycles, or other riding toys, include properly fitted safety equipment. Helmets should always be worn when riding.
Before purchasing a toy, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website for current product recalls and safety information.
Make Safety Part of Your Holiday Tradition
The holidays should be filled with wonderful memories, laughter, and time spent with the people who matter most. By taking a few extra precautions when traveling, decorating, cooking, and choosing gifts, you can help prevent accidents and make the season safer for everyone.
From all of us at PSI, we wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
Helpful Safety Resources:
