Holiday Preparedness

No matter what holiday you choose to celebrate, this time of year is one of joy, happiness, family, friends and good times.

However, there are simple preparedness tips to make your holidays safer.

Fire Prevention

According to FEMA, home fires are more prevalent in the winter holiday season than any other time of the year causing $990 million in damage. Increases in cooking, home heating, and holiday decorations all contribute to home fires. Here are some simple preventative measures to make sure you have a safe holiday season:
• Do not leave your stove or oven unattended while cooking as this is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen.
• Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent.
• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.
• Do not leave candles unattended. In one-fifth (20%) of candle fires, the candles are unattended or abandoned.


Car Survival Kit

You never know where you will be when a crisis occurs. Winter storms leave people stranded in their cars every year. Take this time to make sure your car has everything you will need in an emergency for you and your family.

Sample Car Kit:

Road Maps Towline Extra clothing
Food (Granola, chocolate, etc.) First-aid Kit Sanitation supplies
Blanket Windshield Scraper Roadside Flares
Bottled Water Fire Extinguisher Multitool, knife
Cellphone Car Charger Flashlight Jumper Cables