Tips to stay safe as you deck the halls this holiday season.
Cooking Safety
Cautious Cooking: Always have a cook in the kitchen; unattended cooking is a contributing factor in home cooking fires.
Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen: Keep kids and pets away from the cooking area.
Food Poisoning for Christmas: Keep prepared foods away from raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs.
Bacteria Growing: Cook food thoroughly, using a food thermometer to determine doneness. Internal temperature should be 140 degrees Fahrenheit or above depending on the food.
Calling it Quits: Ditch the leftovers after four days (you’ll be sick of them anyway by then).
Travel Safety
Distressed Drivers: Avoid aggressive and angry driving. The holidays can mean crowded roadways but keep your emotions in check. Plan ahead and anticipate delays to arrive alive and on-time. If you see an angry driver, give them plenty of space.
Careful with Cocktails: A little eggnog might be tasty during the holidays but be sure to designate a sober driver ahead of time if you plan to drink at holiday gatherings. In Dec. 2021, there were 1,099 crashes involving alcohol, drugs or a combination of both in Florida. Buckle up, slow down and don’t drive impaired.
Musical Chairs: During long road trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
Shopping Safety
Shopping Secretively: Do your online shopping at home and make sure your home wireless network is protected.
Say No to Scammers: During the holidays, scammers may send fake emails that are too good to be true. Don’t click on links! Also, when shopping online, only use trusted retailer websites.
A Hard Pass: Set strong passwords and change them often. Don’t set passwords the will be easy for cyber criminals to guess.
A Car Repair for Christmas: More shoppers mean more vehicles in parking lots. Be extra careful when backing out of parking spaces but even more careful when you’re on foot walking to and from your vehicle.
Look Out for Lurkers: Always park in well-lit areas and be alert to your surroundings.
An Invitation to Steal: Don’t leave purchased gifts in plain sight- lock them in your trunk.
Disappearing Act: Check your bank statements regularly to spot suspicious activity.
Pet Safety
Oh, Christmas Tree: Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall on your precocious pet.
Avoid Mistletoe & Holly: Mistletoe and holly can be poisonous and cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, a surefire way to ruin the holiday spirit as you search for a veterinarian open on Christmas.
New Year’s Noise: Many pets are scared of fireworks. If they’re part of your New Year celebration, keep them in a safe, escape-proof area as midnight approaches.
