Winter Safety: Tips to Keep Safe This Season

With winter coming underway, temperatures occasionally drop down to mid twenties from time to time, don't forget to prepare your home, family and your pets. If you know of any older adults, don't forget to check on them from time to time when temperatures drop drastically. When you are outdoors for long periods of time, make sure you wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Take some basic precautions to ensure your family safe throughout the season. (Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter)

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

With the winter season upon us, temperatures at time can get low enough for people needing to turn the heat on. Please be cautious when turning on the heat to warm up the residence, and please note that although carbon monoxide detectors can save lives, less than 1/3 of American homes have one installed. To not to get carbon monoxide poisoning, remember simple tips like these:

• Replace batteries for carbon monoxide detectors during spring and fall.
• Do not heat your home with gas range or oven.
• Never run a car or truck inside an attached garage (National Safety Council: Winter Safety Tips)

For more tips on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, check it out on the CDC website.

Take These Steps for Your Home

Winter is here, despite the fact that we are in the south region of Texas without ice and storms, it is still

important to stay prepared and check in with the National Weather Service for winter related alerts and other weather events.

• Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
• Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
• Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
• Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
• Check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards: young children, older adults, and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside (Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter)

How Will You and Your Family Keep Yourselves Safe This Month?

Holiday Safety: Drive Sober and Give Safely

Holiday safety is the most burning issue from late November to mid-January, when families gather, parties are scheduled and possible extensive driving and possible flying out of town for a few days up to a few weeks. Take some basic precautions to ensure your family safe throughout the season.

(Holiday Safety)

Be Surely to Drive Soberly!

Many people choose to travel during the holidays by automobile, with the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation.

• When there are engagements that you would consume alcohol, make sure a designated driver is present to ensure guests make it home safely after holiday parties. Any adequate amount of alcohol, over-the-counter or illegal drugs all cause impairment that may spoil your after holiday plans. 
• Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance being traveled
• Please, and please put that cell phone away, especially while driving! All distracted driving causes 1/4 of all crashes
• Keep an emergency kit with you at all times (National Safety Council: Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season)

Give Gifts, But Give Safely

We've all heard it's important when choosing toys for infants or small children to avoid small parts that might prove to be a choking hazard. Here are some additional gift-related safety tips:

• Select gifts for older adults that are not heavy or awkward to handle
• Be aware of dangers associated with coin lithium batteries; particularly the ingestion of button batteries
• Check and see which toys are recalled with United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month)

How Will You and Your Family Keep Yourselves Safe During This Holiday Season?