MVP Insurance loves the holiday season! But, what do we love more? Practicing safety, of course. Whether you are traveling, decorating, or simply just trying to keep warm, there are necessary precautions to take in order to enjoy the holiday season safely.
Traveling
Many people travel during the holiday season for family, vacation, and celebration. If you do travel, here are some notes on how to travel safely:
- Make sure your vehicle operates in great condition.
- Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. This should include water, granola bars, a flashlight, blanket, and whatever else you can think of.
- Plan ahead for traffic and bad weather.
- Practice defensive driving and wear your seatbelt.
- Don’t drive if the weather is bad!
- Drive sober.
- Make sure your car insurance is up-to-date.
Decorating
Who doesn’t love decorating for the holidays? It’s one of the best ways to get into the swing of the season, but unfortunately, accidents do happen. Thankfully, there are ways to decorate safely, so nobody ends up in the emergency room.
- Keep your Christmas tree away from fireplaces and other heat sources.
- Use a stable ladder when hanging up lights and other decor.
- Keep lights off of the ground and away from water sources
- Turn off lights before you leave.
- Keep small and/or breakable decorations away from animals and children.
- Avoid using frayed or broken lights.
- If you’re using an artificial tree, make sure it has a fire-resistant label.
- Make sure your homeowners insurance is up-to-date.
Keeping warm
It’s important to stay warm during the winter, but sometimes, snow and ice storms can make that difficult to do, especially if the power goes out. Oklahomans have experienced this all too often, but fortunately, we have some tips for you to keep warm and safe.
- Never leave burning fireplaces, space heaters, or candles unattended.
- Keep matches and lighters away from children.
- Make sure you have lots of blankets and clothes for layering.
- Use towels, sheets, etc. to under the cracks of doors to block out the cold.
- Check the weather frequently and get groceries before bad weather approaches.
- In the case of losing power for an unexpected period, people have found it helpful to move the family into one room to generate body heat.
We hope you all prepare accordingly and stay safe during this winter season. The best way to enjoy the holidays is to practice safety. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the MVP Insurance team!