This time of the year your Safety/Security team wishes to remind you about winter weather and Christmas and New Year safety. Here are some ideas for your consideration:
- Make sure all your smoke detectors are all working (one in every bedroom).
- Be careful with real candles. Place them on a dish to protect the surface. Always put them out if you leave the house or you go to bed.
- Have your furnace and chimney inspected by professionals.
- Only use UL rated Christmas lights. Only use outdoor rated Christmas lights outdoors.
- Keep real Christmas trees away from heat sources and water your tree daily.
- Clear sidewalks (push snow don’t lift snow).
- Use ice melting crystals, especially on ramps and stairs.
- Consider having absorbing floor-mats by every entrance.
- Wear ice grips on slip resistant shoes when there is ice on the ground.
- Be mindful of your expenditures (stay in your budget), and always review your credit card statements for accuracy. Take advantage of the service provided by credit card companies to send you a text notifications when your credit card is used.
- Be careful of unsolicited “Junk” emails that look like the real thing.
- Make sure your computer has all the required software updates to help protect you. Consider changing your passwords to a strong password.
- Be careful of “Phishing” scams in your email. If it sounds too good to be true listen to your instinct and don’t open their attachments.
- Identity theft affects about 1 in 20 American each year. 13 million consumers in the U.S. were affected by identity fraud in 2019 with total fraud losses of nearly $17 billion. So, is not if but when it happens to you. Consider getting Identity Theft Protections (see the sidebar for links). Also, consider putting a “Freeze” on your credit.
- Winter driving tips: have winter tires installed, install winter wipers, have a windshield ice scraper, check all fluids especially windshield washer, keep fuel tank full to avoid water condensation in the tank, have the battery tested for strength, carry a flat head scoop shovel, carry tire chains that fit your winter tires, carry jumper cables, and if taking a long trip consider having a plastic bag with supplies in case you get stranded (Blankets, Mylar survival blankets, energy bars, water bottles, cellphone battery backup, solar/cranking LED flashlight, hand/feet warmers, etc.).
- Do the penguin walk to keep you from having a slip and fall accident (see image below)
