FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – From late November through mid-January, millions of Americans hit the road, deck the halls and gather with loved ones. But with all the festive excitement comes a spike in travel, fire hazards, food-related illness and injuries from winter activities. Staying safe doesn’t have to dampen the holiday spirit, it’ll make it more merry for the whole family.
Here’s your comprehensive guide to celebrating safely all season long.
Holiday Travel: Stay Alert, Stay Alive
If you’re traveling this holiday season, preparation is everything. According to Injury Facts, travel by car during the holidays carries the highest fatality rate of any major transportation mode. Hundreds of people lose their lives in crashes each year on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas — with alcohol impairment playing a role in roughly a third of those fatalities.
Before you hit the road:
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Prepare your car for winter weather and keep an emergency kit ready
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Get a full night’s sleep to avoid drowsy driving
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Leave early to account for heavy traffic
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Buckle up — every passenger, every trip
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Put the phone away and eliminate distractions
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Practice defensive driving
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Designate a sober driver for every holiday gathering
Decorate With Care: Festive, Not Risky
Decorating is a cherished holiday tradition, but hospitals see thousands of decoration-related injuries each season. Keep your home looking great — and safe — with guidance from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
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Keep poisonous holiday plants — including mistletoe, holly berries and amaryllis — away from kids
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Choose artificial trees labeled “fire resistant”
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For live trees, cut 2 inches off the trunk, water regularly and remove once dry
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Keep trees at least 3 feet away from heat sources and out of doorways
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Hang breakable or small ornaments up high, out of young children’s reach
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Match indoor lights to indoor use and outdoor lights to outdoor use
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Replace any light sets with frayed wires or cracked sockets
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Follow packaging guidelines for how many sets can be connected
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Never nail or stress holiday wiring
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Keep plugs away from moisture
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Turn off all decorations before bed or when leaving home
Fire Safety: Candles, Fireplaces, and the Hidden Dangers of Turkey Fryers
Candles & Fireplaces
With more candles, fires and flammable décor, December sees the highest rate of candle-related home fires — accounting for roughly 46% of annual candle fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Stay safe by:
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Keeping candles stable and away from traffic areas and children
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Storing matches and lighters locked away
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Using flameless candles around flammable materials
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Never burning wrapping paper, trees or wreaths in the fireplace
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Keeping a fireplace screen in place
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Never leaving a fire or candle unattended
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Having chimneys and fireplaces cleaned annually
Food Safety: Keep Illness Off the Menu
Holiday gatherings mean plenty of cooking, feasting and leftovers. To prevent foodborne illness, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends:
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Wash hands often when handling food
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Keep raw meat separated from produce
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Use different utensils and cutting boards for raw and cooked foods
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Cook meats to safe internal temperatures
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Refrigerate leftovers within two hours
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Cut leftover turkey into small pieces for faster cooling
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Consume leftovers within 3–4 days
Safe Gifting: Toys Should Bring Joy… Not Injury
Toy-related injuries send thousands of children to the ER each year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers key guidance for safer gift-giving:
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Choose toys based on age ratings — they’re about safety, not skill
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Avoid small parts for kids under 3
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Skip plug-in toys for children under 10
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Be cautious with toys containing button batteries or magnets
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Pair scooters and riding toys with proper helmets and safety gear
Before buying, check the CPSC website for toy recalls and safety alerts.
The Bottom Line: A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Holiday celebrations should be memorable for all the right reasons. Whether you’re traveling across the country, hosting family, or giving gifts to little ones, keeping safety at the center of your plans ensures a season filled with warmth and joy, not unexpected emergencies.
Make this your safest holiday season yet.
