SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Q: Last year at about this time you listed safety tips for the holidays. Can you please provide those safety tips again?

A: Gladly. Here are tips from the Ottawa Police Service:

When shopping, make sure that you always lock your vehicle.

Place parcels in the trunk and/ or minimize the number of bags that can be seen.

Keep track of your debit and credit cards. Always protect your PIN number.

Take note of where you parked and the door you entered from, so when you leave, you are not walking around with a large number of parcels and attracting unnecessary attention.

If living in a single family rental home and going away,

• arrange for someone to clean your driveway and walkway to give the appearance of occupancy.

• leave lights on a timer and have a neighbour or friend take in your mail and check your house daily. Do not throw out your “Big Ticket” boxes all at once. Cut the boxes up and fold them inside out to hide the original content pictures.

CHRISTMAS TREES:

If you buy a real Christmas tree it is important to get one that is freshly cut. Choose a tree with a rich green colour, a nice fresh smell, and sticky resin on the trunk. You can test a tree’s freshness by tapping the base of the tree on the ground to see if the needles remain intact.

When you get home, the Christmas tree should be placed in a stand that holds two to three litres of water. Top up the water daily. Do not set the tree up near a heat source like a radiator, fireplace or television.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:

Make sure you inspect your Christmas lights for broken or frayed strings before putting them up. Ensure you are using lights that are designed for a specific environment. For instance, indoor lights should not be used outdoors because they lack weatherproof connections. Some outdoor lights can burn too hot indoors. Most importantly, turn off all tree and display lights before going to bed or leaving the house.

CANDLES:

Do not put real candles on the tree. If you plan to use real candles elsewhere, be extremely careful about where you place them to prevent something flammable (such as clothing) from coming into contact with the flame, and to prevent the candles from being knocked over.

It’s best to avoid real candles altogether. Using flameless candles is a great safety alternative that will give you peace of mind this holiday season. Flameless candles are about the same price as real candles and can be purchased in a variety of sizes, colours and designs, like lanterns.

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS:

Do not overload electrical outlets by bunching up extension cords or running them under carpets or rugs.

SMOKE DETECTORS:

Ensure your smoke detectors work on each floor.

Stay safe and enjoy a happy holiday season!