The holidays are meant to be a time of good cheer, but with all of the hustle and bustle, there’s also more opportunity for accidents and crime, too.
Here are some pointers from various local agencies and national websites, intended to help you have a safe and happy season.
Here are some holiday safety tips from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office:
Be Safe While Shopping
- Lock your car doors and roll up your windows.
- Limit the amount of cash you carry.
- If possible, pay for your purchases with a credit or debit card.
- Limit how much jewelry you wear.
- Keep your purse close to your body and your wallet in an inside jacket pocket if possible.
- Place all packages in your trunk, so people walking near your vehicle can’t see them.
- Remember where you parked.
- Have your keys out when you’re approaching your vehicle.
- Don’t leave cellphones, purses or other items in your parked car where they can be seen.
- When using ATM machines: use one in a populated area and pay constant attention to your surroundings. If possible, go during daylight hours. If anyone is lurking near the machine, pass it up and find another. Remember to retrieve your credit/debit card after the transaction.
Be Safe at Home
- Be sure to lock your doors and windows when you leave your home.
- Don’t display gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway.
- Leave on a light or a television while away, to give the impression that someone is home.
- Be wary of strangers who come to your door seeking charitable donations.
- Don’t leave boxes from gifts outside for the trash collector. Take them to a dumpster so thieves don’t target your homes for new TVs and other items.
Fire Safety Tips
Here are some pointers from Tampa Fire Rescue to help you stay safe at home, especially during the holidays.
- Be sure your batteries are fresh in your smoke detectors, and be sure there are detectors near bedrooms and on every level of your home.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Do not wear loose-fitting clothes near burners.
- Keep the cooking area free of grease buildup.
- Do not place items near the stove that could catch fire, such as paper towels, cereal boxes and dishtowels.
- Turn off the stove and unplug small appliances, when leaving your home.
- Never smoke in bed.
- Keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains.
- Never leave burning cigarettes unattended.
- Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
- Use alternative heaters only in well-ventilated areas.
- Do not use space heaters in areas where they can be easily knocked over.
- Keep blankets, clothing, furniture and anything that could catch fire away from portable heaters.
- Always use a protective screen near fireplaces.
Be Safe While Traveling
If you’re hitting the road during the holidays, these tips from AAA might come in handy.
- Be sure your car is roadworthy. Check the air in your tires. (The proper pressure level can be found in the owner’s manual, or on a sticker that’s usually located on the driver’s side doorjamb). Also, get your battery checked, have your car’s fluid levels checked and make sure you have good windshield wipers.
- Buckle up. Be sure everyone is buckled up, and be sure that little ones are traveling in the proper type of car seats.
- Know the route you’re taking, and make sure someone else knows it, too.
- Be sure that you’ve adjusted your seat and your mirrors for maximum safety and comfort before you leave your driveway, or the rental car agency.
- Stay focused. Changing the radio, putting on makeup or talking on the phone takes your focus off the road. If a phone call or text can’t wait, have a passenger take the call or send the text.
- Be alert to what other drivers are doing. Even good drivers can’t predict what other drivers will do.
- Don’t drink and drive. If you’re going to be drinking, have a designated driver.
- If you get lost, don’t panic. Often, you can simply take the next exit to turn around to get back on track.
- Pay attention to weather conditions and reports, and make any needed route adjustments.
Published December 16, 2015
