Keep the Holidays Happy

Sleigh bells ring, are ya listening? Well, let’s hope you’re listening or you just might find yourself as a hood ornament on that sleigh.

Yes, you need to consider safety even around the holidays, maybe even more so as many people’s minds are filled with more sugarplums than common sense. To keep the “happy” in “Happy Holidays,” be sure you keep your thoughts on the safety of you and your family. Here are some things to consider.

Trees
What’s your preference, the aroma of real or the convenience of artificial? Either way, there are safety precautions. When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure to look for a “fire resistant” label. When choosing a real tree, check for freshness by tapping the tree on the ground. If it loses a lot of needles, move on to another tree. Keep that real tree watered so it doesn’t dry out prematurely.

It may sound like common sense, but just as a reminder—keep your trees away from fireplaces, radiators and portable heaters. Also be sure they’re not blocking exits.


Lights
What’s the holiday season without the twinkling of all the lights? Whether you like just a few or go all out so incoming flights can see your home from miles away, there are safety considerations.

For indoor lights, check for broken sockets, frayed wires or loose connections. Never use lights on a metallic tree as the tree could become charged and electrocute someone if any lights are faulty.

For outdoor displays, be sure the lights are rated for outdoor use. Plug them into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid shocks. And never leave display lights on overnight or when you’re away in case there’s a short that could cause a fire.


Decorations
If you have small children (or pets), avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, and keep trimmings with small/removable parts out of reach. Avoid decorations that look like candy or food so kids/pets are tempted to stick them in their mouths.

Food
Holiday parties mean food! Lots of it. Just remember, foods that require refrigeration shouldn’t be left at room temperature for more than two hours. To help prevent the spread of illness, never put a spoon back into food after a tasting; wash it first. Keep raw foods and cooked foods separate, and use separate utensils for dealing with each.


And what would the holidays be without shopping?

• Shop during daylight hours when possible. If you must shop at night, take a friend along.
   
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry. You don’t want to draw the wrong attention.
   
• Criminals are out in force at this time of year because shoppers often let down their guards. Keep your cell phone use (especially texting) to a minimum when out shopping and walking to your car. You need to always be very aware of your surroundings. Head up, eyes alert!
   
• Do not carry large amounts of cash.
   
• Try not to overload yourself with packages. You want clear visibility (especially on parking lots) and a free range of motion.
   
• Keep a record of all your credit card numbers in a safe place at home. This is a precaution in case any of your cards are lost or stolen. It’ll make cancelling the cards much easier if you have this information handy.

To give yourself peace of mind regarding a lost or stolen credit card and the possibility of identity theft, take a look at our Vantage Identity Protection (VIP) program. This program provides comprehensive protection against identity theft and fraud by increasing protection and improving security.

It’s the giving season, so give yourself the best shot at a happy and SAFE holiday season!