The middle of Autumn fast approaches.  With it comes the beginning of the holiday season.  Moreover, the season brings some home safety hazards workers may see only once a year. 

 

Now presents an excellent opportunity for employers to share some at home safety tips with workers.  After all, employees are an organization’s greatest asset.  So, companies have a stake in employees’ safety both on and off the job. 

 

Join us as you did in Part 1 and Part 2 of our Stop and Challenge Workers to Eat, Breathe, Live Home Safety Series as we explore some simple home safety tips to share with your workers this holiday season.

 

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Home Safety Tips for Halloween

 

Many people mark Halloween as the beginning of the holiday season.  Kids get to dress up and see other superheroes, princesses, ghosts, and goblins.  Furthermore, they also start the long holiday sweets journey that usually ends with their parents’ New Year resolutions. 

 

Yet, in the midst of all that fun, dangers can present themselves if parents are unaware.  Check out some home safety tips below you can share with your workers to ensure they have a fun and safe Halloween.

• Be sure an adult accompanies younger children during trick or treat activities.
• Older children should never trick or treat alone. Use the buddy system.
• Add reflective strips, tape, or stickers to costumes and/or trick or treat bags to improve visibility. Trick or treaters should also carry flashlights or glow sticks with them.
• Avoid walking in the road or street. Where possible, stay on the sidewalks and utilize crosswalks while out in the neighborhood.
• Carry a first aid kit with you for added safety.
• Remind kids about stranger danger. They should never enter the house or car of someone they don’t know.
• Adults should check all treats to ensure they are safe before allowing kids to eat them.
• Drivers should stay on extra alert for pedestrians during the prime time for trick or treating (at dusk and after dark).

 

Want more tips to share with workers on keeping their kids safe during Halloween?  You can visit the following sites for additional Halloween safety tips:

• Safe Kids Worldwide’s Halloween Safety Tips
• National Safety Council’s Halloween Safety On and Off the Road
• Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s Halloween Health & Safety Tips

 

 

Home Safety Tips for Thanksgiving

 

Fast forward about 3 weeks, and the Thanksgiving celebrations will be in full swing.  It’s a time for all to take a minute to think about the richness of life and be grateful. 

 

Read on for some wonderful at home safety tips to share with employees to make certain they stay safe amid all the food, family, and football.

• Travel safely. If traveling by car, make sure you are rested, stop for frequent breaks, and avoid distractions. 
• All travelers should stay aware of their surroundings and avoid traveling alone if possible. Furthermore, check-in periodically with friends and/or family during your trip.
• Practice good food safety. Read and follow cooking temperature instructions on meats.  Avoid cross-contamination during food prep.  Store foods properly.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Remind kids of the dangers of the stove. Also, turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove to prevent accidents. 
• Make sure you have a properly functioning fire extinguisher in case of an emergency. Only try to fight incipient fires yourself.  For larger fires call the 9-1-1.
• Make guests aware of your home’s fire escape plan, including your meeting place should a fire occur.
• If you live or are visiting in an area where there will be snow and/or ice, make sure you are prepared. Shovel and/or treat walkways and driveways.  In addition, be extra cautious when driving in inclement weather conditions and make sure you have provisions if you get stranded.

 

Need a little more?  Additionally, you can check out the following sites for more Thanksgiving safety tips to share with your employees:

• National Fire Protection Association’s Thanksgiving Safety
• U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Have a Food-Safe Holiday Season
• Safety Toolbox Topic’s Thanksgiving Travel Safety

 

 

 

Home Safety Tips for Christmas

 

You have just recovered from Thanksgiving, and Christmas comes a knocking.  Keep reading for home safety tips to share with workers during this holiday filled with peace and good will toward men (and women). 

• Christmas trees present additional fire risks. If you have a live tree, be sure to keep it watered.  For all trees, be sure to set them away from heat sources and open flames.  Moreover, decorate with lights intended for use with Christmas trees.
• Make sure indoor and outdoor lights used for decoration are in good condition. Discard lights with damaged wires, cords, or plugs.  Replace bulbs as needed.
• Candles should be treated with care. Moreover, keep children, pets, and combustible materials away from these open flames.
• Don’t overload electrical sockets. If power strips are needed, make sure to use one with a surge protector.
• Ensure your decorations do not create trip hazards. Keep areas where people frequently walk clear.
• Handle broken ornaments with care to avoid cuts. Clean up any broken ornaments promptly to prevent possible injury to others.
• Remember basic tool safety when building or assembling gifts for the kids. Don’t use tools that are in poor condition.  Wear hand and eye protection if you need it. 
• Keep in mind the fire, food, cooking, and travel safety tips covered in the Home Safety for Thanksgiving section above.

 

Fancy additional Christmas safety information?  Take a look at the following sites for more:

• National Fire Protection Association’s Winter Holiday Safety
• National Safety Council’s Holiday Safety
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s Holiday Health & Safety Tips

 

 

Closing Thoughts

 

In conclusion, each year the holiday season gives families and friends the opportunity to reconnect and make new memories to enjoy for years to come.  So, make it the best holiday season yet by giving your workers an added gift this year.  Share the simple tips covered in this post and promote increased home safety awareness during the holidays.  

 

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