The holidays are all about delicious food, entertaining, decorating, spending time with friends and loved ones, and reflecting on the beauty and the true meaning of the season.

While you’re enjoying the festivities – at home or at grandmother’s – it’s important to give your family and yourself the gift of safety.

To help you do that, we present the 12 ways of holiday safety:

1. Get Your Sleigh Ready: If you’re going over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house be sure you prepare your vehicle for the trip. Pack an emergency car kit with; blankets, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, GPS, extra clothing, and flares. Don’t forget to check the tire air pressure and be sure the windshield washer fluid is full.

2. Use Your Home Security System: If you are traveling for the holidays, be sure to enable your home security system and tell your provider that you’ll be out of town. However, don’t advertise your plans on social media – those holiday-trashing grinches troll those sites looking for empty homes to loot. In addition, have a trusted neighbor or friend keep an eye on your property for you.

3. Switch to Flameless Candles: Never use lighted candles near trees, wreaths, curtains/drapes, wrapping paper, or any flammable item. Opt for battery-operated candles instead.

4. Deck the Halls Safely: Inspect holiday lights before you use them. If the wires are frayed, the sockets are broken and there are loose connections – throw them out. Only use lights that are labeled approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Be sure to unplug the light string if you have to replace a bulb.

5. Fade to Black: Remember to turn the holiday lights off – inside and outside your home – when you go to bed or if you leave the house.

6. Oh, Christmas Tree: If you’re buying a live tree, choose a fresh cut tree with green needles because it’s less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. Keep your Christmas tree watered and away from open candles, fireplaces, or other heat sources. Remember to keep the tree stand filled with water.

7. Oh, Artificial Christmas Tree: If you decide on an artificial tree, select one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant. An artificial tree with a built-in electrical lights should include the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.

8. Don’t Block Exits: Be sure to trees and decorations aren’t blocking the exits in case there’s a fire or other emergency. Only use holiday decorations with labels indicating they are flame retardant.

9. Test Your Smoke Alarm: Test your smoke alarms to ensure they work. Inform your guests about your fire escape plan.

10. Don’t Roast Chestnuts on an Open Fire. Never leave the kitchen if you’re cooking chestnuts or anything else on the stove top. If you have to leave the kitchen, even for a few minutes, turn the stove off. Additionally, keep children and pets away from the stove and oven when you are cooking.

11. Jack Frost’s Nipping at Your Nose: No matter how cold or frightful the weather is, never use a stove or oven to heat your home. If you use a portable heater or fireplace, never leave it unattended.

12. The Best Defense: A home fire alarm system is the best way to protect your family and your guests in the event of a fire.

From our family to yours, have a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

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