12 safety tips of Christmas

12 safety tips of Christmas

The staff and volunteers at the Red Cross offer these safety tips to help keep the season safe, happy and bright.

•1. Prepare your vehicle for traveling to grandmother’s house. Build an emergency kit and include items such as blankets, jumper cables, road maps, shovel and extra clothing.

•2. Drive your sleigh and reindeer safely. Avoid driving in a storm. If you must travel in bad weather, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to arrive.

•3. Help prevent the spread of the flu. Stay home if you’re sick. Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible, or use an alcohol-based hand rub.

•4. Follow Santa’s fashion lead — dress in layers. When it’s cold outside, layered lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat.

•5. Use a trained baby sitter when attending holiday festivities. Red Cross-certified baby sitters learn to administer basic first aid, properly hold and feed a child and monitor safe play.

•6. Avoid danger while roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

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•7. Be a lifesaver during the holidays. The Red Cross recommends that at least one person in every household have first aid and CPR/AED training.

•8. Designate a driver or skip the holiday cheer. Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive impaired.

•9. When the weather outside is frightful, heat your home safely. Never use your stove or oven to heat your home. Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Install smoke alarms!

•10. Cut down on your heating bills without being a Grinch. Get your furnace cleaned and change the filters. Make sure your furniture isn’t blocking the heat vents.

•11. Going home for the holidays? Travel safely. Give your full attention to the road — avoid distractions such as cellphones.

•12. Resolve to Be Red Cross Ready in the New Year. Get ready now for emergencies in the coming year.

For more safety information, go to redcross.org/montana.

Happy holidays from Montana Red Cross to you and yours!

Anna Fernández-Gevaert is the regional communications director for the American Red Cross of Idaho and Montana. She can be reached at anna.fernandezgevaert.

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