Winter Safety Tips
The Holidays are such a wonderful time of year and no one wants to spend their time worrying about if their homes and vehicles are safe. However, their are a few easy tips that you can remember each year that will help to keep you and your family safe.
Christmas Decorations
While most people enjoy decorating their homes inside and out with beautiful holiday decorations, sometimes they are not done in the safest way. May decorations inside the home have candles holders in them. While candles make our homes smell great and feel cozy, they can be a major hazard to your home. Instead of using the regular flame candles, try using the battery powered candles that give off the same light and scents with out the hazard of causing a fire. The other hazard that is typically overlooked indoors and out are the electrical wires that power all the of the beautiful lights. A simple tip is to make sure that the extension cords being used are made for outdoor use or indoor use. Also, be sure that you are not over loading one single cord or outlet with too many lights. House fires can be devastating, so taking a few extra minutes to ensure your wires are safely connected can save your family from major problems over the holiday season.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a hazard that is easily overlooked as it is know as the invisible killer due to the fact that it is colorless and odorless but a highly poisonous gas. It can come from many different types of standard appliances with in your home. Typically because of improperly ventilated fuel burning appliances such as generators, furnaces, stove, water heaters and fireplaces. It is essential that you have a licensed professional come to inspect these appliances to ensure that they are in proper working order.
Your Vehicles
The holiday season is also a time when we travel to see friends and family, so your vehicle also has a few items that can be checked to ensure that all your holiday travels are as safe as possible. One item that typically gets over looked is the tires on the vehicle. Replacing your all season tires with winter tires will help in conditions below 45 degrees. Rotating your tires and ensuring they have proper amounts of tread on them will also help your car to handle wintery road conditions better to help keep you safe on your travels. For a full winterization of your car, visit your local tire and lube provider.
Winter Storms
Blizzards are very common in many parts of the country but for those who it may not be as common for, there are several tips that you can follow to help keep your family safe through a winter storm. Some simple tips are to have water and non-perishable food on hand to last for at least 3 days. Other items to have are recommended to have on hand are flashlights and batteries, a first aid kit, extra blankets, coats and socks. Winterizing your vehicle and keeping a full tank of gas is also recommended when preparing for a blizzard. Also, don't forget the family pets. Keeping a full supply of pet food is highly recommended. And remember, if it is too cold for you to be outside then it is also too cold for your pet to be outside. Bring them in where it is nice and warm to ensure they don't suffer in the cold weather.
To read more safety tips, click the links below:
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/winter.shtm
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/winter-storm
http://home-edition.net/Default.aspx?ArticleID=205&d=%25%25MR_EncryptedId%25%25
Christmas Decorations
While most people enjoy decorating their homes inside and out with beautiful holiday decorations, sometimes they are not done in the safest way. May decorations inside the home have candles holders in them. While candles make our homes smell great and feel cozy, they can be a major hazard to your home. Instead of using the regular flame candles, try using the battery powered candles that give off the same light and scents with out the hazard of causing a fire. The other hazard that is typically overlooked indoors and out are the electrical wires that power all the of the beautiful lights. A simple tip is to make sure that the extension cords being used are made for outdoor use or indoor use. Also, be sure that you are not over loading one single cord or outlet with too many lights. House fires can be devastating, so taking a few extra minutes to ensure your wires are safely connected can save your family from major problems over the holiday season.Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a hazard that is easily overlooked as it is know as the invisible killer due to the fact that it is colorless and odorless but a highly poisonous gas. It can come from many different types of standard appliances with in your home. Typically because of improperly ventilated fuel burning appliances such as generators, furnaces, stove, water heaters and fireplaces. It is essential that you have a licensed professional come to inspect these appliances to ensure that they are in proper working order.
Your Vehicles
The holiday season is also a time when we travel to see friends and family, so your vehicle also has a few items that can be checked to ensure that all your holiday travels are as safe as possible. One item that typically gets over looked is the tires on the vehicle. Replacing your all season tires with winter tires will help in conditions below 45 degrees. Rotating your tires and ensuring they have proper amounts of tread on them will also help your car to handle wintery road conditions better to help keep you safe on your travels. For a full winterization of your car, visit your local tire and lube provider.
Winter Storms
Blizzards are very common in many parts of the country but for those who it may not be as common for, there are several tips that you can follow to help keep your family safe through a winter storm. Some simple tips are to have water and non-perishable food on hand to last for at least 3 days. Other items to have are recommended to have on hand are flashlights and batteries, a first aid kit, extra blankets, coats and socks. Winterizing your vehicle and keeping a full tank of gas is also recommended when preparing for a blizzard. Also, don't forget the family pets. Keeping a full supply of pet food is highly recommended. And remember, if it is too cold for you to be outside then it is also too cold for your pet to be outside. Bring them in where it is nice and warm to ensure they don't suffer in the cold weather.
To read more safety tips, click the links below:
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/winter.shtm
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/winter-storm
http://home-edition.net/Default.aspx?ArticleID=205&d=%25%25MR_EncryptedId%25%25
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