Safety Tips for the Holidays

All of us at Clark Mason Attorneys  wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Keeping that in mind, here are a few reminders regarding how you can stay stafe.

Christmas Trees

• Make sure to add water to your tree daily and turn lights off before going to bed or leaving your house.  A dry tree can be more susceptible to catching fire, and fires from Christmas trees spread faster and can be more fatal than other house fires.
• Always inspect lights before adding them to your tree. Toss any that have loose connections or frayed wires.  Replace any burned out bulbs because the remaining bulbs can burn much hotter and brighter for each burned out bulb. To avoid the possibility of a dangerous electric shock, do not insert or remove bulbs with the set plugged in.
• Both small children and pets are easily enticed by brightly lit decorations. Ensure that your tree is secured at it's base to avoid the tree falling on them.

Decorating

• Inspect lighted decorations for any frayed wires or other damage before using.
• Use a partner when hanging decorations and inspect ladders or chairs before climbing on them. 
• When using candles, always make sure to keep them away from your tree, decorations, curtains and out of children’s reach.
• For additional tips on decorating safety, go the the Consumer Product Safety Commission website at: http://onsafety.cpsc.gov/blog/2016/12/05/tis-the-season-to-decorate-safely-2/

Shopping

• Protect your identity while shopping. Carry only the necessities in your wallet, and keep non-essential identifying information at home.   
• If you shop online, make sure to only use a secure website and log off from that site after you have completed your purchases.  

Travel

• Take proper care when traveling during the holidays, whether you are local or long distance. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination.  Many accidents are a direct result of rushing around during this time.
• Ensure that all those presents are not blocking your visibility, and that the tree on your car roof is securely tied down.
• Be alert and keep your distance from other drivers who may appear impaired.
• Use courteous and appropriate driving etiquette to ensure your safety, both on the road and in parking lots.