10 Tips to Ensure a Safe Holiday Season

Holidays bring up safety concerns so here are 10 tips to ensure a safe holiday season. Tips include holidays lighting, candles, decorations, Christmas tress and more. During holidays, there are many things going on around the home. People are wrapped up in everyday life preparing for the upcoming holiday and they forget about hazards that can happen in a split second. This leads to emergency room visits.

During holidays, people receive care from emergency room departments for cuts and bruises, falls, electric shock and much more. Children are especially vulnerable because of the attraction to Christmas tree lights and decoration. So take extra care for children at home and the homes of family who may not have a childproof home. People are injured from October to December because this is the beginning of the holiday season.

10 Tips To Ensure a Safe Holiday

1- Visiting Friends and Family

Parents and guardians need to take extra precaution when visiting friends and family because their homes aren't always childproof. If you have a toddler or a child learning to crawl pay close attention so that he or she don't pull over hot pans or stick their fingers in electrical outlets. Friends and family members who don't have children will not have electrical outlets plugged up with a childproof plug.

2- Holiday Lighting

Holiday lightening is especially dangerous because different things could happen from using lights. Before hanging any type of holiday lighting, inspect the lights thoroughly. Look for broken sockets, frayed wires and check for indoor and outdoor use certification. If you find any signs of this through out the lights and purchase new ones.

3- Candles

Don't leave candles unattended. Candles make holidays more refreshing but they are dangerous. Keep candles away from Christmas trees, wrapping paper and decorations hat could catch on fire from being to close to a candle. To prevent candles from being overturned set in a safe area.

4- Store Firearms in A Safe Place

Firearms are a safety concern for small children in the home. Make sure to keep them under lock and key and high up so children can't access them. A high shelf in a closet is the best place to store a firearm if you don't have a locked gun cabinet. Make sure firearms are unloaded so they don't accidentally fire causing injury to children or yourself.

5- Keep Purses in A Safe Place

Keep purses in a safe place when visiting friends and family. Purses can contain medications and small objects that are dangerous to children.

6- Install Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Install smoke alarms in bedrooms, kitchen, living room and halls. Test smoke alarms frequently and replace if not working.

7- Buckle Up During Traveling

If you travel during the holidays ensure safety by buckling up. Make sure to buckle up and make sure to use proper child safety restraints.

8- Fireplace Safety

Before lighting a fire remove decorations and place a screen in front of lit fireplaces.

9- Flame Retardant Materials

Decorate with flame retardant materials. Decorate with items that aren't sharp or have edges on them. Don't use decorations that look like food because a child might try to eat it.

10- Christmas Tree

If you chose a live Christmas tree, take extra precautions. Select a fresh cut tree and place in a secure tree stand. Keep away from heat sources and water daily.

These 10 tips will ensure a safe holiday for you and your family. Remember always look for potential dangers during the holiday season.