Tips to Keep You and Your Home Safe this Christmas

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

Happy Holidays!

As we come towards the end of 2022, many of us are looking forward to Christmas. While some of us may still celebrate it a little differently, traditions will stay the same and it is important to stay safe while doing so. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe. 

Prepare Your Car for Winter Travel

As North Dakotans, we are used to bad winters, but it never hurts to be reminded of the basic winter travel necessities. Remember to keep plenty of gas in your vehicle and to keep your heat running in case of bad winter conditions leave you stranded on the side of the road. In your vehicle, you should also have:

• Extra blankets or coats
• Jumper cables
• Snow shovel

If traveling on Christmas:

• Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled
• Watch for icy or dangerous conditions on the road
• Call ahead to tell someone you are on your way and when to expect arrival

For your home:

• If you plan on leaving for an extended period of time, make sure your home is heating properly and turn the water supply to your home to OFF
• Never leave open flames unattended. Whether it is a candle, fireplace, or something is cooking, don't leave those heat sources alone
• If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Remember to water it and remove it from your home when it is dried up
• Inspect lights for frayed or damaged wires
• Make plans for your pets to be taken care of

Christmas and the holiday season is a wonderful time of year. If you stay smart and safe, you can have an even better holiday season.