Bring on the Holidays: Safety Tips

Buckle your seatbelts, it’s about to get  bumpy.  The holiday season is upon us, and for most of us, it’s the busiest time of year. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and overlook some of the common hazards that can dampen your holiday spirit. Let this article serve as a quick reminder to be sure you do all you can so that your festivities are stress free.

House Fires and the Holidays 

Between the candles, decorations and home cooking, the holidays can be quite the fire hazard. Below are a few of the common reasons for holiday house fires along with tips for how to reduce your risk.

• Be sure you don’t leave candles unattended. Place them on a flat surface that is free of decorations and away from curtains.
• Keep decorations away from heat sources such as stoves, radiators and candles. If you are reusing lights from last year, be sure to check the cords for damage.   
• Invest in a fire extinguisher, keep it in the kitchen and make sure that everyone playing chef is familiar with its use.

Porch Pirates and Package Theft 

Worried about porch pirates? Below are a few of our best tips to protect your gifts.

• Have your packages delivered to the office if no one is going to be home to receive them.
• Track your package and turn on alerts so you know when it is delivered.
• Don’t post photos of the perfect gift you purchased on social media.
• Consider an upgrade to your outdoor lighting by putting them on a timer or installing motion detectors.

Traveling During the Holidays 

Over 55 million Americans are expected to be travelling this Thanksgiving, according to Forbes. Here are some travel tips if you are headed out for turkey day.

• If you are going to be traveling, be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Plan on there being traffic and leave a little breathing room in your itinerary. 
• Strive to travel during non-peak times. If you have not already booked travel and accommodations, do a little research to find out what travel times have the least amount of traffic.

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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.