Holiday Safety Tips
The holiday season is upon us and that means many of us are headed home to spend quality time with family, friends, and loved ones.
No matter your location, it cannot be denied that this is a beautiful time of year. However, just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean emergencies can’t occur without warning. So, it’s again tremendously important to take precautionary measures should the unexpected happen.
Keep Everyone Warm
Everyone likes to be warm, pets included!
As the months get colder and the days get shorter, be sure to have a strong supply of winter essentials like blankets, water-proof candles, coats, and sweaters. Be sure to add them to your home and car prep kits to help you conserve heat during the harsh winter months.
Stay Safe on the Road
Do you have an emergency preparation kit for your car? We sure hope so! For the many unexpected things that can happen while on the road, it's critical to have an up-to-date emergency prep kit at all times.
The 4 Person Premium Disaster Preparedness Survival Kit from First My Family is a perfect option for families looking to stay safe on the road. Should an emergency situation arise while out-and-about, this survival kit comes fully-equipped with 72 hours of survival and first aid supplies.
Running out of gas? Stuck in the snow? Plan ahead and stay prepared.
Great supplies may not be enough to stay fully prepared. Keep a list of emergency contact numbers in your vehicle should you need to call a tow truck, friend, or other emergency contacts.
Check Holiday Lighting
One of the things that can be easily overlooked is safety when it comes to our beloved holiday decorations. Make sure each connection is secure and kept at a safe distance away from small children and pets.
Additionally, keep an eye on the number of plugs you have from each outlet; overloading your outlets has the potential to cause a major fire emergency.
Lastly, if you are burning candles, keep them away from flammable objects like trees, decorations and gifts. Be sure to also use items like hot-pad holders and never leave your home without out putting your candles out completely.
Play Safe: Holiday Toy Safety
It is important to be safe when playing with toys this holiday season since there are many small, detachable parts that can be swallowed. Make sure to keep all toys away from small children and infants and/or monitor children when the toys are in use.
Also, we all know opening packages during the holidays can be a difficult task. Toys are often packaged tightly, prompting us to use sharp objects to open them. Take extra precaution when attempting to open all packages. Keep sharp objects away from children and do not allow them to open toys without adult supervision.
Be Prepared in Any Moment
Emergencies can occur at any time and in any moment, including the holiday season. Gather your family for a few moments to address your evacuation and safety plan for your home. Take the time now to prepare your family, and remember: there's no such thing and being too prepared!
Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holday season!
Are You Financially Prepared For An Emergency Situation?
Natural disasters can happen at any given moment. While having necessary supplies in case of an emergency situation is critical for survival, financial preparedness continues to be on the back burner for many people.
We must remember that even though a natural disaster’s focus is safety and survival, the recovery process can be extremely costly. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 serve as examples of just how costly natural disasters can be.
See the Top 5 Most Expensive Natural Disasters in History: http://ow.ly/Mo6u300ORtJ
Putting an extra debit card away in your preparedness kit may not be enough. Check out 3 tips to get you financially prepared for a disaster:
- Start a Separate Savings Account in your Bank
Already have a savings account? Avoid being tempted to spend money from your emergency fund. Make sure to keep your spending, savings, and emergency savings separate so you don’t end up borrowing money from the funds that could help you during a natural disaster.
- Put Cash Away in your Preparedness Kit
Power lines may be down during a natural disaster, or you may not have access to an ATM machine near your home. Put cash cash away in a discreet container, and be careful not to add too many smaller bills for the sake of space.
- Add a Pre-paid Debit Card to your Preparedness Kit
A great way to add diversity into your emergency fund is by adding a pre-paid debit card to your preparedness kit. This can be helpful in the event that a natural disaster results in banks to take security measures that may freeze accounts.
Get financially prepared and stay safe! We can help: FirstMyFamily.com