Prepare now to be safe this holiday season. Self-reliance is not just about preparing for disasters but also preparing for everyday challenges. Decorations and winter traditions can be the biggest hazards of the holiday season. From Christmas trees to lights to candles to fireplaces, the holidays can pose a serious fire threat.
- If you have a fresh Christmas tree, make sure to water it regularly. Natural trees can dry out and catch fire easily if not watered often. If you have an artificial tree, make sure it is fire resistant.
- Before inserting a fresh tree into its stand, cut off two inches of the trunk to ensure good water penetration.
- Check your strands of decorative lights for frayed wires and get new lights if you see any damage since damaged lights can cause a fire. Don’t keep your lights on too long as they can overheat if not LED.
- Be extra cautious with candles. Keep an eye on lit candles and place them at least a foot from any other decorations that could catch fire.
- Make sure you have a plan in the event of a fire. Practice with your children and make sure they understand not only fire safety but also how to evacuate.
- Don’t forget to test your smoke
- Don’t overload electrical outlets or extension cords.
- Never use extension cords designed for indoor use for outdoor lighting or holiday displays.
- Never use lights designed for outdoor use indoors.
- Use battery operated not real candles.
- Hang breakable ornaments out of reach of small children and decorate the bottom of the tree with unbreakable items. Wire fragile or heirloom ornaments to the tree, don’t rely om hangers.
- Holiday plants like poinsettias, mistletoe and holly berries could be toxic to children and pets if eaten. Keep them out of reach, and call poison control in the event of an emergency.
- Hire a licensed chimney sweep to inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney.
- Clean out your fireplace by promptly removing ash, placing in a metal container and allowing them to cool down until completely cold before dumping them in the yard or the trash.
- Store combustible materials such as newspaper, kindling and wood three or more feet away from the fireplace.
Thefts are way up this holiday season. Thieves are following shoppers home from the mall and robbing them in their driveways. Porch thefts are also on the rise as they follow delivery truck and grab the loot. Thieves are becoming more and more bold. Take steps to protect yourself and our family from becoming victims.
Keep your travel plans off Facebook. No matter how small and secure your friend’s list is, it is easy to find you for those looking with criminal intentions. If they have been casing your neighborhood and it looks like you may be gone, they can confirm it on social media.
Tell a trusted neighbor that you’ll be away. Ask them check on your home and take your mail and packages inside home. Also ask them to park a car in your driveway or have their guests park there to make it look like someone is still home.
If you live in a two-story home do not leave windows open or unlocked. Yes, a thief loves two story windows left unsecured. It’s easy to “borrow” a ladder from next door, shimmy up a tree or stand on the top of a pickup.
Do not leave your garage door openers in the car where they can be seen. Do not leave an unlocked car in a parking lot or in the driveway. Cars can be broken into, remotes stolen, your address discovered on your insurance papers. The next thing you know a thief invites themselves into your garage, closes the door and now that they are hidden from neighbors, take their time looking thru your home.
Close garage doors. Leaving the garage door open allows burglars to check out what is in the garage and your security system or lack of one.
Do not leave a spare key under a door mat, over the door, under a hollow rock or planter. Give a key to a trusted neighbor where you can retrieve it if you are locked out.
Ask a neighbor to remove any fliers placed on your door.
Leave outdoor lights on every night. Thieves count on darkness to sneak around your property and into your home.
Place lamps on timers now to come on and off around the house. Choose rooms that allows you to see the light from outside but not look in the window. If you leave for a day or two everything will look the same as it has every night.
Keep all doors and windows locked even when you are home. Thieves are no longer afraid of entering a home when someone is present.
Close blinds and curtains at night or when you are gone during the day. If your Christmas tree is in front of a window do not place gifts under the tree where they can be seen from the street or front door.
After Christmas don’t invite invasion by placing the boxes for the new TV computer, game system, appliance, etc. in the trash. Cut down boxes and place in trash can.
Nothing can keep us completely safe but we can take steps to help limit risks. The holidays should be a season of joy, thanksgiving, tradition and caring. Take steps now to make this the most wonderful time of the year for your family.
For help in meeting all your self-reliance goals join Carolyn at http://facebook.com/TotallyReady or her blog at Totallyready.com. Help with weekly challenges for preparing and storing food and thriving during and after a disaster are available on both sites. Carolyn’s Totally Ready Emergency Binder is available to purchase and download at Totallyready.com and can be purchased complete or one section at a time. Message Carolyn at the Totally Ready or Operation Ornaments Facebook page.