CALGARY – The holidays are a time to spend with family and loved ones but emergency officials say the joy of the season can mean some are overlooking simple safety measures.
Here are some of the most comment hazards you should look out for:
1. When adding outdoor Christmas lights to your home a popular scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation might come to mind.
*Courtesy DJMainHouse, YouTube
Unfortunately, a similar scene plays out in at least one Calgary home every year.
“It’s slippery, it’s cold, and if you’re not familiar with being on a ladder and it’s not built properly, that’s a dangerous situation,” says Brian McAsey with the Calgary Fire Department.
Slick surfaces on the ground can also pose a hazard; make sure you promptly clear your sidewalk and driveway of ice and snow and spread a salt and sand mixture for added traction.
2. Shovelling should be performed by a healthy, fit member of your family; some research shows it can cause an increased risk of heart attacks.
If help isn’t available, breaking shovelling up into smaller tasks or contact a service like the Calgary Snow Angels.
“You don’t have to do your entire walk or driveway in one shot. Go outside, shovel your walk in increments, take your time,” says Adam Loria, Alberta Health Services.
3. Make sure your gifts don’t end up under someone else’s tree; thieves regularly troll mall parking lots looking for newly purchased items and more.
“Don’t leave your laptops, GPS systems, satellite, don’t leave anything in the car,” says Cst. Geoff Wilson, Calgary Police Service. “Loose change is a big one because a lot of these people are on foot and all they’re looking for is to get a quick score.”
4. If you’re heading out of town for the holidays, make plans to protect your home from theft. If you’re leaving a vehicle parked outside, make sure your garage door opener isn’t inside.
It’s also a good idea to have a neighbour clear the driveway and sidewalk of snow and pick up any newspapers or flyers.
Inside your home, make sure your Christmas tree is watered and is far from heat sources. A fire can spread through a living room in just seconds.
*Courtesy: StateFarm Insurance, YouTube
5. Don’t get rushed into a simple mistake on your stove while preparing Christmas dinner.
“Cooking fires are the number one cause of a fire in Calgary and unfortunately this time of year, a lot more cooking, a lot more of those types of fires,” says McAsey.
Candles should also be well attended.
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