The festive season is finally upon us! A time of much needed relaxation, good food and ideally, many happy moments with family and friends. That said, it’s important to keep you and your loved ones safe in all aspects during the year-end festivities.
While we often focus on our homes and travel plans when it comes to staying safe during the festive season, being safe actually encompasses a lot more than we realise. There are a lot more risks out there that you might not be aware of and these could catch you by surprise if you are not careful! No need to panic though - with your safety in mind, we’ve put together our top safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe during the holidays:
Be discreet with your travel plans
While it can be very exciting to go away during the festive season, announcing it to the world via Social Media is often not the smartest move to make from a safety perspective! Keep your travel plans to yourself and never post where or when you are going on a trip – opportunists are lurking everywhere and online is no exception so keep your details to yourself in this regard! If you are planning on going away during the festive season, it might also be advisable to notify a trustworthy neighbour, a close friend or even your local neighbourhood watch of your plans. If the relationship allows, ask them to keep an eye on your home and notify you of any suspicious activity that might take place while you are away. It’s also worthwhile remembering that a home that looks occupied is often last to be hit by intruders so if you are able, pay someone reputable to housesit for that extra peace of mind. You can also get some additional tips on home security here.
Stash the gifts
It might sound counter-intuitive but keeping gifts hidden is another safety measure you can put in place this festive season. Apart from keeping the kids eagerly guessing what’s stashed in Mom’s cupboard, keeping gifts hidden or out of sight also serves as a deterrent for potential burglars as they are sure to spot these if they are readily on display in front of your lounge window! Rather opt to display gifts away from the windows if this is part of your family’s holiday tradition and keeping them completely out of sight is out of the question.
Safely set up the tree
Setting up and decorating a Christmas tree is a time old tradition that often ushers in and marks the beginning of the holiday season. That said, no one wants to get hit or squashed by a falling tree so be sure to properly secure whatever tree – natural or synthetic – you end up choosing and displaying. Make sure to use a strong stand for your synthetic tree that doesn’t lean to either side. If you’ve opted for a fresh tree, be sure not to whittle down or over-carve the trunk to fit into whatever base or pot you’ve got ready as this will only make your tree less sturdy. Once your tree is safely up and standing proud, look to decorate with safety in mind by hanging any fragile or breakable ornaments high up to avoid tempting those little hands!
Double check your Christmas lights
The festive season can be a dangerous one when it comes to electrical fires simply because of the number of old or damaged Christmas lights that people are so fond of using. Before you string lights all over your home, garden or tree, be sure to inspect each strand to ensure nothing has frayed or perished whilst in storage over the last 11 months. Also be sure to replace any broken bulbs and throw away any strands that show signs of perishing or have any frayed wires. It’s also advisable to switch off all lights when going out or going to bed in the evenings. If you have outdoor lights, be sure to put them on a timer.
Practice good food safety
Last but certainly not least, take care to practice strict and proper food hygiene and safety as nothing can ruin a holiday quicker than a bout of family food poisoning! Ensure that all raw meat is stored correctly at the correct temperature and kept far away from your fresh produce. Take the time to wash your hands frequently whilst cooking and use any leftovers within three to four days after the meal has been served.
As with all things, a little preparation and thoughtful consideration goes a long way to ensuring you have a good time these holidays. By taking note of and putting some of these tips into practice, the festive season truly can be the most wonderful time of the year. With nothing more to say, we wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Holidays! May they be merr