Holiday Safety

The holiday season brings decorating, cooking, celebrations, and family traditions. With these activities comes an increased risk of home fires, injuries, and accidents. Use the following safety tips to keep your holidays safe from October through January — and all year long.

Halloween Safety

Costumes & Visibility

• Choose costumes with bright colors or reflective material.
• Add glow sticks or reflective tape to increase visibility.
• Avoid long or loose clothing that can cause trips or catch fire.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Cross streets at corners and marked crosswalks only.
• Walk — don’t run — between houses.
• Put electronic devices away and stay alert near roadways.

Pumpkin & Decoration Safety

• Use battery-operated candles or glow sticks in pumpkins instead of real candles.
• Keep decorations out of walkways to prevent tripping hazards.
• Keep flammable items away from open flames and heat sources.

Thanksgiving Cooking Safety

Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires — and Thanksgiving is the peak day for these incidents.

Kitchen Safety

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
• Keep all flammable materials away from the stove.
• Keep knives sharp — dull blades lead to more injuries.
• Use paper towels instead of wet dishcloths to clean counters.

Turkey Preparation

• Thaw the turkey in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave — never at room temperature.
• A stuffed bird requires more cooking time.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure safe internal temperatures.

Leftovers

• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in shallow containers.
• Reheat leftovers to at least 165°F.

Alcohol Awareness

• Use designated drivers for guests who drink.
• Alcohol plays a role in more than half of holiday traffic fatalities.

Christmas & Winter Decoration Safety

Natural Trees

• Cut 2 inches off the trunk before placing it in the stand.
• Keep the tree stand filled with water daily.
• Keep trees at least 3 feet from fireplaces, heaters, or radiators.
• Do not block exits or walkways.

Artificial Trees

• Choose a tree labeled fire-resistant.
• Artificial trees with lights should have the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) label.

Holiday Plants

• Keep the following plants away from small children and pets:
  •  Mistletoe
  • Holly berries
  • Jerusalem cherry
  • Amaryllis

Lights & Electrical Safety

• Use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors.
• Look for the UL label on all light sets.
• Check for broken sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections.
• Replace damaged light sets immediately.
• Use no more than three light strands per extension cord.
• Do not run extension cords under rugs, across doorways, or through high-traffic areas.
• Turn off all holiday lights before leaving the house or going to bed.

Outdoor Light Hanging

• Secure lights with plastic hooks or insulated staples — never nails or metal tacks.
• Keep plugs off the ground and away from puddles and wet areas.

Ladder Safety

• Always use a step stool or proper ladder — never stand on chairs or furniture.
• If using a ladder near a doorway, lock or block the door.
• Use the 4-to-1 rule: for every 4 feet of ladder height, place the base 1 foot away from the wall.
• Keep three points of contact at all times (two hands & one foot, or two feet & one hand).
• Stay centered between the rails — never overreach.
• Wear non-slip shoes and avoid ladder use in high winds or wet conditions.

General Holiday Reminders

• Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of reach of children.
• Keep breakable ornaments and small decorations high enough to avoid choking hazards.
• Avoid placing fragile ornaments on low branches within reach of pets or young children.
• Never leave open flames or lit candles unattended.