Holiday safety tips for you and your family
The holiday season isn't the time to deal with the added stress of an unexpected fire or food poisoning. For many of us, Christmas and the holidays bring a lot of happiness and joy, but they can also mean a lot of work and preparation. As you carefully hang those stockings on the mantelpiece, you might want to reconsider what "care" means, because with all those fires, old dry papers, and old lights, there's always a risk of disaster.
Panda7 wants your holiday season to go smoothly. It's a time to sing Christmas carols around the fireplace, without having to deal with the consequences of an unexpected loss, as the season is entirely dedicated to spending time with your family.
Pay attention to fire safety.
The holiday season is rife with fire hazards, whether it's that dry string of lights or the Christmas tree that's too close to the fireplace. While all the warmth and bright lights can be great for the holiday spirit, they can be a significant fire risk. Check your light fixtures before installing them and look for frayed wires, broken outlets, or other hazards. Indoor lighting should be used indoors, and outdoor lighting should be kept outdoors—always.
If you're using a real tree, ask your vendor to trim about 2 inches off the trunk to ensure water can be absorbed more easily—a dry tree will catch fire. Always make sure your tree is away from fireplaces and radiators. Artificial trees should be fire-resistant.
Be on the lookout for online scams when you shop.
For many of us, Christmas might be a little different this year. Given everything that has happened in recent years, we have been forced to adapt.
This might mean meeting loved ones on Zoom or FaceTime rather than in person, exchanging gifts via delivery, and so on. Given the current situation, many of us may do our shopping online this year. There's a lot of fraud going on at this time of year, so it's important to make sure every website you visit has a secure address (and that it's spelled correctly!) and uses an "s" in its address (the "s" stands for "secure"). Additionally, you'll need to keep an eye on your email to make sure you're not falling victim to spam.
Avoid cross-contamination with your food
Christmas is a wonderful time to enjoy turkey and other special holiday treats with family and friends. Unfortunately, if there's a lot of raw meat to handle (like your turkey or ham), you'll need to practice proper food safety, or you could seriously risk ruining this holiday. Make sure all raw meat is kept separate from fresh produce, that cutting boards and utensils are washed after handling food, and that you use a meat thermometer.
Be careful when distributing alcohol.
Christmas and New Year's are two popular times to indulge in wine or champagne, but both holidays can lead to disaster if people get too carried away. It's always important to be mindful when serving alcohol, and if people are driving home after a party or gathering, to limit their consumption or avoid alcoholic beverages altogether.
Avoid poisonous plants or keep them safe and away from pets.
Pets get into all sorts of things, especially during the holidays when toxic items can easily be left out. Chocolate, mistletoe, coffee, alcohol, grapes, and onions are off-limits for dogs and cats, and human medications should never be left out. Certain plants can also be dangerous, such as aloe, lilies, marijuana, sago, azaleas, and tulips. These items should either be kept well away from pets or avoided bringing them into the house altogether.
While Christmas is a time for cheering up and spending time with loved ones, it can be dangerous if we aren't careful. Take the time to conduct due diligence as a homeowner or tenant and walk through the property looking for potential problems. It's always better to be safe than sorry when all you want to do during the holidays is relax and enjoy your time with loved ones!