Our Partner Tower have created a simple and lighthearted take on making sure you keep your holiday season safe with some simple little tips...

Stay safe this summer holiday season

Santa’s on standby, lights are going up and the countdown is on. But before you dive into the celebrations, take some time to plan ahead and help keep your holiday season safe and stress-free. After all – even Santa checks his list twice!

Foil the Grinch

Heading away for the holidays? Home security systems are an easy way to scare off any grinches looking to spoil your holiday cheer. Installing security alarms, adding smart doorbells or cameras are all great ideas. Otherwise, keep your home looking lively – set light timers and ask someone to grab the mail so it looks like you’re home. Some other simple tips are:

• Secure your windows with window locks, you can install them yourself or hire a professional. 
  Secure valuables
• Hide valuables in places that are out of sight of windows and not obvious to thieves.
• Declutter. An empty home is more appealing to a grinch, so declutter your home before you leave.
• Let your neighbors know you're away so they can keep an eye on your house and report any suspicious activity and of course leave an emergency contact number.
• This one might be difficult for most but try and stay off social media.  You don't want to advertise your absence on social media, as grinches often look for information about when people are away. 
  
  

Get road-trip ready

Make sure your sleigh doesn’t break down halfway home. Before you leave, give your car some love with an oil and tyre pressure check. Then hit the road early, drive safe, and enjoy the journey.

Make sure you pack efficiently. Divide your car into zones, pack heavy items on the bottom, and pack snacks that aren't messy. 

With the excitement of the holidays, it can be easy to get distracted. Keep your focus on driving, and avoid using your phone or engaging in other distractions while on the road. Engaging all passengers in activities can also help keep the driver alert.  

Finely and get out of the car every 1–2 hours to stretch or walk. You can also do exercises in the car to keep your blood flowing.

No one wants car trouble getting in the way of the Christmas fun!

Tree TLC and decorate safely 

Place the tree at least one meter away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, and candles. Also, make sure it doesn't block an exit. 

Secure the tree so it can't be knocked over. You can use fishing line to tie the top of the tree to a sturdy nearby object. 

Create a barrier around the tree to keep small children away. You can use a safety gate, play pen, indoor fencing, or sturdy boxes covered in Christmas wrap. 

Avoid sharp or breakable decorations, and anything with small removable parts that could be a choking hazard. Strings or ribbons are safer than metal or plastic hooks. 

If you’re ready to hang your Christmas lights, make sure they’re not frayed or broken before you deck the halls.  Also turn off the lights when you go to sleep or leave the home. Left on for too long, they can get hot and become a fire hazard. 

Got a real tree? Keep it watered to avoid a crispy fire hazard.  Lowering the room temperature can also help slow the drying process. And finally when choosing a tree, make sure it's fresh has green needles that don't fall off when touched. A fresh, well-cared-for Christmas tree can usually stay in your home for three to four weeks.

Look out for furry friends

Keep your pets merry and safe:

• Ensure your pet has a cozy space with access to food, water, blankets, and toys.  Continue your pet's usual routine, such as feeding them at the same time and walking them at least twice a day.  Allow your pet to get used to new smells and sensations by introducing decorations and changes in the home gradually.
• Most decorations can look like toys to pets, so use them cautiously and supervise them. Tinsels and other shiny, stringy ornaments can cause internal blockages if ingested.
• Make sure your tree is secure to a wall or ceiling to prevent it from tipping over onto your pet. 

So keep an eye on these and hopefully you won't need to have an unexpected trip to the vet this holiday period.

Grill it safely

If you’re planning on firing up the BBQ, make sure you give it a good clean first, it helps avoid flare-ups. Keep it on a flat, level surface and ensure there is a safe space around it. Your feast will taste better when you’re cooking safely.

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