Holiday Season Safety Tips in Laurel and Anne Arundel County

From the festive store displays to the constant stream of holiday advertisements, it’s clear that – ready or not – the holiday season is upon us. And while we spend the coming weeks making lists, hunting down the hottest toy of the year, and planning our celebrations, it’s important to remember what the holidays are really about: family and friends.

So as you prepare to trim the tree, deck the halls, and welcome guests from near and far, make sure that your home is free from dangers that could make your holiday less than merry and bright. Here are just a few ways how:

• Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Real or fake, place your tree away from heaters, fireplaces, and other heat sources.

• If choosing a real tree, make sure before you buy it that the needles do not fall off easily; then, water it daily.

• Placer matches, lighters, and candles out of reach of children.

• Inspect and test each light strand prior to hanging. If you’re hanging lights outdoors, make sure they’re rated for outdoor use.

• Turn off ornamental lights and blow out candles before leaving the house or going to bed.

• Select age-appropriate toys for the little ones on your list.

• Prevent small hands from wandering and getting burned by keeping hot liquids and food away from the edges of tables and counters.

• When cooking for holiday guests, keep an eye on the stove top at all times.

• Stock up on sand or ice melt should to clear your walkways during winter storms.

• Drink and serve alcohol responsibly.

All common sense suggestions, right? And yet sometimes it’s the most obvious of safety precautions we forget to take.