Holiday Safety Tips from the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois

As you and your family begin to plan for the holidays, the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) urges you to add one more item to your list—safety.

“When we think of the holidays what comes to mind—a time for giving, worship, family, friends, relationships, fun, party-time? If you’re like me, it’s all of the above, and the one thing we take for granted is safety. We have listed ways you can reduce the risk of hazards by taking some simple but important safety precautions,” said Paul Verisario, Past President of PIIAI.

Decorations

“Candles, tree lights, Menorahs and other holiday decorations add to the beauty and festive atmosphere of this time of year,” said Verisario. “But candles need to be placed out of the reach of young hands and in a stable place that prevents them from being knocked over by children or pets.”

• Selecting a fresh Christmas tree is an important step in increasing fire safety. If the needles are falling, the tree is too dry. Trim at least an inch from the bottom of the tree before setting it up to increase its ability to absorb water. Be sure the tree is securely fastened in a sturdy holder filled with water and be sure to refill the water pan regularly. Don’t place the tree near a heater or wood-burning stove. Do not place the tree where it might block exits or doorways.
• When decorating the tree, use low-wattage or blinking bulbs. These generate less heat under prolonged use. Be sure all light strings are in good condition and operate properly. Tighten bulbs in sockets to prevent arcing. NEVER use candles or any open flame device on a Christmas tree. Don’t overload electrical circuits by plugging too many cords into a single outlet. Turn lights off when no one is home and before bed.
• Fresh garland is an even greater fire hazard than Christmas trees. Garland, unlike a tree, does not sit in water and becomes dry and flammable quickly. Because dried out garland next to a roaring fire can be a dangerous combination, never drape evergreen boughs over a fireplace mantle. Votive candles surrounded by garland are likewise a major hazard. Opt for silk versions for safety’s sake.
• Decorating outside the house presents its own, serious hazards. First, make sure that lights used outdoors are designed for outdoor use. Check wiring and connections. If lights have been up throughout the year, inspect the entire cord for damage caused by the elements and by animals which may have gnawed the wire. Check all connections and use electrical tape or duct tape around them to seal out moisture. Choose battery operated candles when decorating in windows. Electric candles may be used as long as care is taken to ensure that the window is not closed on the cord. Carving a small indention for the cord to sit in will prevent damage to the cord, thus preventing a fire hazard.
• Be sure that holiday design area rugs are secured with some type of backing that grips the floor, especially when entertaining during the holidays.

Equipment

“Holidays are a time for baking and cooking those great family dinners, so when you’re using stoves, ovens, or other equipment, please do not leave them unattended—even if you leave the room to take a phone call. It only takes seconds before tragedy can strike,” said Verisario.

• Watch young children closely in the kitchen to prevent them from pulling hot liquids off the stove and onto themselves or from knocking flammable items onto the lighted stovetop.
• Space heaters are a major cause of house fires. Look for the UL label when using electric space heaters. Do not place them where clothing, paper, or other flammable items could be dropped near them. Keep a large area around the heater clear. Kerosene space heaters are the number one cause of carbon-monoxide poisoning in the winter. All space heaters should be turned off before leaving the house and before turning in at night.

Holiday Shopping Tips

“Holidays bring out more shoppers which means thieves are also out in numbers,” said Verisario. “Your children are more prone to stray while you’re looking away for that one second.” He cautions adults, “Keep small children in a stroller—don’t let them walk away from your side.” “Of course,” advises Verisario, “the best advice is keeping the children safe at home and giving yourself the freedom to shop.”

• A parent is more vulnerable to purse snatching and pickpockets when busy with children and packages. If young children must accompany adults on holiday outings, do not become overloaded with bundles. To better focus on young children, make several trips to the car to reduce the physical and mental burdens of shopping.
• Even under the most watchful eye, children can be separated from their parents. Teach children what to do if they are ever lost. Make sure they know to approach a store employee or security guard. It is wise to equip small children with identification bracelets or information cards in case they panic and are unable to remember important information. Be sure to include the name and cellular phone number, if possible, of the adult responsible for the child. This makes it easy for store employees to page the guardian over the intercom or to contact them directly by phone.
• Adults need to protect themselves in crowded shopping malls as well. Remain alert and be aware of surroundings. Park in a well-lit area, lock the car, close the windows, and store shopping bags and gifts in the trunk and away from view. When driving a car that does not have a trunk, put packages in the foot wells and cover them with a blanket. To avoid carrying large amounts of cash, pay for purchases with a check or debit card whenever possible. When carrying a purse, keep it close to your body and fastened, not dangling by the straps. Keep wallets in an inside coat pocket or front pants pocket.

Parties and Travel

“When you’re hosting that holiday party, serve your appetizers and food with the alcohol,” says Verisario, “and remember—a friend does not let a friend drive while intoxicated.” “The cost of a cab fare could save a life,” he notes.

• Have phone numbers available for cabs and be sure to arrange some type of alternative transportation for intoxicated guests.
• When traveling at holiday time, get an automatic timer for your lights, ask a neighbor to watch your home and perhaps park their car in the driveway. Have the mail and newspaper deliveries stopped, but do not suggest that you are going out of town. A better option is to have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers that are delivered while you are away.

Holiday Pet Safety

“The chances of your pet being harmed also increase at holiday time,” said Verisario. “Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are poisonous when eaten. Make sure they are kept away from pets, and when you leave the house, be sure to leave pets in another part of the home where they are safe from harm.”

• Be sure that the electrical cords on holiday lights are secured and out of the way of pets that might be tempted to chew on them.
• Securely anchor tree so that a tree-climbing pet cannot cause it to topple.
• Don’t feed pets scraps from the holiday feast. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in their throats, stomachs and intestinal tracks. Fats, gravies and poultry skin can cause your pet to have severe gastrointestinal upset.
• Holiday sweets can be fatal to pets. Chocolate contains a caffine-like substance, theobromine, which can cause chocolate poisoning.

Taking Stock

“The holidays are a good time to update or create your home inventory list. Home inventory booklets can be obtained from your independent insurance agent,” said Verisario. “ It is a good idea to use a video camera to take stock of every room including pictures on the walls and then keep the video-tape in a safe place. Don’t forget to take an inventory of any valuable new presents,” Verisario added. “Burglars know that this time of year brings lots of new, valuable merchandise into homes.”

“Also remember to replace all batteries in your smoke detectors—I do this at holiday time every year so I won’t forget,” advises Verisario.

“We hope these holiday tips are helpful. Remember, if you do have an accident during the holidays, your independent insurance agent is just a phone call away to help you recover from the incident.”

The Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois is an association representing independent insurance agents throughout the state. PIIAI membership is comprised of 1,500 insurance agencies representing 12,000 licensed independent agents engaged in all facets of the insurance industry, including property, casualty, life and health. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. In addition to serving the professional needs of members, PIIAI works for the betterment of the insurance industry through legislative and consumer awareness programs. The PIIAI is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois. Visit PIIAI's consumer website at www.ChooseIndependent.com or agent website at www.piiai.org.