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Safety Tips for the Whole Family

By Jennifer Green October 10, 2015
As hard as it may be to believe, the days are getting shorter and winter will soon be here. So we thought this would be a good time to give you some tips on how to keep the whole family safe as we head into the colder months.

  • Daylight Savings Time ends on November 1st which means it's going to start getting dark by 5pm. Keep your children- and your pets!- visible when they're outside after dark. Light colored clothes or even reflective vests are a good choice. Also, make sure your dog has either a light on their collar or something reflective on them to help make them more visible to drivers.

  • The time change is a great time to change the battery in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Also, check your fire extinguishers to make sure they haven't expired. 

  • Check your furnace and your fireplace. Your chimney should be inspected at least once a year, or after 80 fires, according to HGTV. If you use your fireplace a lot in the colder months, clean the firebox at least once a week. NEVER leave a fire burning unattended.

  • Use space heaters with caution. Always read the instructions and keep it at least three feet away from any materials, especially those that may be flammable. 

  • Candle are a wonderful way to add ambiance to your home this time of year, but put them out of reach from tiny hands (and pets), and NEVER leave a candle burning unattended. 

  • Make sure your outdoor lighting is in working order. A house with good outdoor lights can deter thieves.

  • Get your home ready for winter. Install weather stripping, clean out gutters, or install storm windows. Make sure you're stocked on supplies for winter weather- shovels, snow blowers, ice scrapers, and kitty litter or salt for dealing with ice. Stores tend to run low on these items when a storm is forecasted so now is the time to buy.

  • Decorate with your kids and pets in mind. Place all items that may be choking hazards out of reach. Certain plants can be toxic to your dog. Keep pine needles, holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias off the floor and make sure no leaves fall where curious mouths may find them.