Winter and Holiday Season are Almost Upon Us

by Ray Waite - 

Wow, I cannot believe that 2019 is coming to an end so soon.  This year certainly went by fast and the holiday season is a certain reminder that we will be starting a new year soon.  I'm sure many of us will be traveling for either Thanksgiving or Christmas, whether that's just a short drive in-state to see family, or a major road trip across the country.  Whatever you decide to do for your holidays, please keep in mind that this is certainly the busiest travel time of the year.  That being said here are a few travel and safety tips to keep in mind.

Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared...

Many people choose to travel by car during the holidays, which has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. In 2017, 329 people died on New Year's Day, 463 on Thanksgiving Day and 299 on Christmas Day, according to Injury Facts. Alcohol impairment was involved in about a third of the fatalities.
Stay safe on the roads over the holidays and every day:

• Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency preparedness kit with you.
• Get a good night's sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving.
• Leave early, planning ahead for heavy traffic.
• Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled.
• Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit.
• Practice defensive driving.
• Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs can cause impairment.

Decorate Safely

Decorating is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, but emergency rooms see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season.
When decorating follow these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Keep potentially poisonous plants – mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis – away from children
• If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”
• If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Remember to water it and remove it from your home when it is dry.
• Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways.
• Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them.
• Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights.
• Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.
• Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket.
• Never nail, tack, or stress wiring when hanging lights, and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow.
• Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.

Watch Out for Fire-Starters

Use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations in many homes during the holidays, means more risk for fire. The National Fire Protection Association reports that one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles and that two of every five decoration fires happen because the decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

• Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over, and out of reach of children.
• Keep matches and lighters up high and out of reach for children in a locked cabinet.
• Use flameless, rather than lighted, candles near flammable objects.
• Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fireplace.
• Use a screen on the fireplace at all times when a fire is burning.
• Never leave candles or fireplaces burning unattended or when you are asleep.