Paul Dreher Director of Personal Insurance View Bio

From increased travel to heightened fire hazards, the holidays present conditions that deserve careful attention. Keep these five key reminders from the National Safety Council in mind to protect what matters most throughout the season.

Stay Safe on the Road
• Prepare your care for winter and keep an emergency kit with you
• Plan ahead for heavy traffic
• Designate a sober driver
• Make sure everyone is properly buckled in

Decorate Safely
• Keep potentially poisonous plants such as mistletoe and holly berries away from children and pets
• Check that artificial trees are fire resistant
• Remove live trees from your home once they are dry
• Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections

Watch Out for Fire-Starters
• Place candles where they can’t be knocked down or blown over and out of reach of children
• Use flameless rather than lighted candles near flammable objects
• Use a screen on the fireplace when a fire is burning
• Check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at least once a year

Handle Food Safely
• Wash your hands frequently when handling food
• Use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils for meat
• Refrigerate leftover food within 2 hours of being served
• Use a food thermometer to make sure food is cooked to the appropriate temperature

Give Children Safe Toys and Gifts
• Choose children’s toys that are age appropriate
• Be cautious of toys that have button batteries or magnets which can be harmful or fatal if swallowed
• When giving riding toys, include appropriate safety gear like helmets and wrist guards
• Choose toys for children under 3 that do not have small parts which could be choking hazards

For a more comprehensive list of holiday safety tips, visit the National Safety Council’s website here.