December 2019: Holiday Safety

The Winter Springs Police Department wants you to have a holly, jolly, and safe holiday this season! Take note of the safety tips listed for traveling, theft, decorating, food, and gift safety. Stay safe and have a very happy holiday season from WSPD to you!

If You’re Traveling

Many people choose to travel by car during the holidays, which has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. Stay safe on the roads over the holidays and every day:

• Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency preparedness kit with you.
• Get a good night’s sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving.
• Leave early, planning ahead for heavy traffic.
• Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled.
• Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit.
• Practice defensive driving.
• Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party.

Theft Prevention

Take these simple precautionary measures to reduce your vulnerability to theft.

• Lock your doors and windows. Do not leave spare keys under doormats, in mailboxes, or over the door frame.
• Remove or trim shrubbery and trim trees for a clear view of entrances and windows.
• Your home and garage area should be well-lit. You can purchase inexpensive timers to turn lights on and off. Motion-activated spotlights can also be an effective crime prevention device.
• Always make your home appear occupied. When you are not home, leave a radio or television set playing.
• Make arrangements with a neighbor to pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Contact the Winter Springs Police Department to complete a house check form.
• Never post your travel plans on social media.

While Shopping:

• Lock your doors!
• Park your vehicle in well-lit areas.
• Avoid leaving purses and other valuables in your vehicle or in plain sight.
• Avoid shopping alone after dark.
• Take steps to protect yourself against credit card fraud and identity theft.

Decorate Safely

Decorating is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, but emergency rooms see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season.

• Keep potentially poisonous plants – mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis – away from children.
• If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire-resistant”.
• If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water it and remove it from your home when it is dry.
• Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways.
• Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them.
• Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights.
• Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.
• Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket.
• Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles.
• Turn off all the lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.

Give Safely

Gifts and toys should inspire joy, not cause injuries.

• Toys are age-rated for safety, not for children’s intellect and physical ability, so be sure to choose toys in the correct age range.
• Choose toys for children under 3 that do not have small parts which could be choking hazards.
• For children under 10, avoid toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet.
• Be cautious about toys that have button batteries or magnets, which can be harmful or fatal if swallowed.
• When giving scooters and other riding toys, give the gift of appropriate safety gear, too; helmets should be worn at all times and they should be sized to fit

Food Poisoning

Keep your holidays happy by handling food safely.

• Wash your hands frequently when handling food.
• Keep raw meat away from fresh produce.
• Use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils for uncooked and cooked meats to avoid cross-contamination.
• Use a food thermometer to make sure meat is cooked to a safe temperature.
• Refrigerate hot or cold leftover food within two hours of being served.
• When storing turkey, cut the leftovers in small pieces so they will chill quickly.
• Leftovers are safe for three to four days when properly refrigerated.

For a printable brochure with this information, please download the WSPD Holiday Safety brochure. Happy holidays to all!