The holiday season is here. The holidays are a special time to spend time with family and friends, make wonderful memories and enjoy festivities.
The Orlando Fire Department and Orlando Police Department want to make sure that you have a safe and happy holiday season and encourage all residents to follow the tips below.
Safety reminders at home:
- Keep candles and flammable items out of reach of children and away from curtains
- Do not leave lit fireplaces, candles and stoves unattended
- Extinguish all candles when going to bed or away from home
- Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly
- Make sure to use safe holiday lights and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly use them
- Check the lights for frayed wires, loose connections and broken sockets
- Never use indoor extension cords for outside lighting
- If you plan on buying an artificial tree, make sure it is fire-retardant and make sure it is sturdy to avoid tip overs
- Do not place your tree close to a heat source such as a fireplace or heater
- Keep holiday clutter, ornaments and potential choking hazards away from children
Safe shopping and delivery tips:
- There are plenty of opportunistic thieves during the holiday season; make sure your gifts and valuable items are locked inside your house in a secure place
- Remember to place packages in your trunk and make sure they are always out of plain sight
- Always park in well-lit areas and carry your purse close to your body
- If you prefer to do holiday shopping online, make arrangements to pick up your gifts at the post office or keep the tracking information to monitor the arrival of your package to avoid delivery package thefts
- Be discreet when discarding boxes after the holidays
Safety reminders for drivers:
- Do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle you if you plan on having alcoholic beverages
- If you are the designated driver, pay extra attention and be alert on the roads to get home safely
- Have your seatbelt on at all times and avoid any distractions such as texting while driving
