The holiday season means time spent with loved ones, good food, and staying warm, even during a global pandemic. While the holidays may differ this year, one thing is constant: putting safety and public health first.
Before the kickoff of the holiday season, learn what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from serious injuries and illnesses. In this post, we’ll list fifteen tips to help prevent holiday injuries and illness from fall into winter.
- Replace the batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Batteries should be replaced twice a year.
- Social distance with people not from your household. To practice social distancing, stay at least 6 feet away from other people in both indoor and outdoor places.
- Wear a helmet. Whether you are riding a scooter or a bicycle, opt for a helmet. According to safety experts at Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers, a helmet is by far the most important piece of safety gear.
- Use candle safety. Ensure candles are far from flammable objects and in a place where they cannot be knocked over by kids and pets. Never leave candles unattended.
- Put together an emergency kit for your car. You never know if you’ll find yourself stuck outside at night, in the slow, or during a global pandemic. A flashlight, first aid kit, jumper cables, a blanket, and food and water are a great start.
- Practice ladder safety. Whether you are clearing gutters or hanging up holiday decorations, use the correct ladder for the job; you should never use the top rung. Ensure the ladder is placed on dry, even ground for ultimate stability.
- Watch for pedestrians. Fall has one of the highest dates for pedestrian fatalities. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), children are more than twice as likely to be hit by an automobile and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
- Use caution with space heaters. Space heaters have the ability to warm up a room, but they can also set things on fire. Ensure the area around a space heater is clear and never leave a space heater unattended.
- Avoid burning leaves. Burning leaves can release damage chemicals into the air and be dangerous if done so near a home. Burning leaves is also illegal in certain areas. Opt for another method to dispose of leaves.
- Adjust for the time change. The fall time change can affect conditions while on the road. Be prepared for more time spent driving in the dark and brighter sunlight in the mornings.
- Do not overload electrical outlets. Overloaded outlets and faulty wires are a common cause of holiday fires. If possible, only plug one high-wattage appliance into each electrical outlet at a time.
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking and check on food frequently.
- Keep all exits clear. Keep exits clear of any and all decorations so nothing can block an escape route.
- Utilize food safety practices. Foodborne illnesses can not only be unpleasant, they can lead to serious consequences, such as hospitalization and life-long complications. Follow proper food preparation safety, ensure food is thoroughly cooked, and always wash your hands before and after handling food.
- Only drive when sober and alert. Never drive drunk, buzzed, drowsy, or distracted.
Using these fifteen tips, you can help promote safety not only for yourself and your loved ones, but also for your entire community. Putting the health and safety of yourself and others first is a sure way to celebrate the holidays in a way that benefits everyone. Whether you are at home or visiting loved ones, enjoy your holiday season safely!