How to keep your holidays fun and festive

Are you among the many Americans who intend to travel over the holiday season? More than 50% of Americans plan to travel during Thanksgiving and the holiday season in 2024. While holiday travel can be risky due to things like weather delays, we've put together tips to keep your spirits bright and your travel safe.

Have your car inspected or serviced prior to travel.

If you are traveling by car, make sure maintenance items like oil changes and brake service are up-to-date. When was the last time you checked your tires? Make sure they're winter-ready with proper tread and inflation for a long drive. If you're not sure your car is up for the drive or the weather, consider renting a car with the necessary gear.

Pro tip: Reserve a car early. It can be hard to request specific types and sizes during busy travel periods.

Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated, and that your wheel wrench and tripod jack are all in your car.

Prepare an emergency road kit for your car

Your year-round car emergency kit should include:

• Jumper cables
• Flashlights(s)
• Tire gauge
• First aid kit
• Reflective triangles
• Fire extinguisher
• Tool kit or multipurpose utility tool
• Windshield washer fluid (some cars' safety features such as blind-spot detection will stop working if the car's windshield washer fluid is low.)

In addition, for longer trips, make sure you have these items in the event you get stuck on the road:

• Bottled water
• High protein/ energy snacks

Now, add items for the cold-weather season:

• Warm blankets. If you're in a particularly cold climate, consider packing an emergency foil thermal blanket for each person who will be traveling with you.
• Pack an external cell phone charger (one that can charge your cell phone without being plugged into your car, in case the car battery dies). Consider investing in a charger that will charge your cell phone, car battery as well as charge electronics such as laptops. These chargers offer excellent peace of mind but check them at least once a month to be sure they're fully charged.

Tips for how to drive safely on icy roads

Here are some basic tips to keep in mind: 

• Avoid driving until roads have been plowed and sanded.
• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination so you don't feel the need to rush.
• Accelerate and apply brakes slowly.
• Increase your following distance. You'll need at least ten times the stopping distance compared to what you're used to on dry pavement.
• If your vehicle suddenly feels like it's floating, take your foot off the gas but don't slam on your brakes, which can cause you to skid.
• Keep in mind that you can't always see ice. Black ice is thin ice that can look like water on the road.
• Be extra cautious on bridges, overpasses and ramps. They're the first to freeze and the last to thaw.

How to plan the drive ahead of time and travel before or after peak traffic times

Can you guess some of the busiest travel days during the holidays? One of the busiest travel days of the year is the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Other busy days, according to transportation experts are December 23, 26 and 27.

If you're traveling during the holidays, don't plan on moving quite as fast as you might at other times of the year. Be prepared for the trip to take longer and consider making more stops to ensure you're not overtired behind the wheel.

No matter how you're traveling, consider insuring your trip

Travel insurance provides security if you need to make changes and assistance with emergencies and unforeseen changes.

Some of the main components of any travel insurance plan are trip cancellation and travel delay coverage. And with 21.8% of flights disrupted in 2023, trip insurance is becoming increasingly popular among travelers.

Many types of travel insurance are available, and selecting the best option will depend on where you go and how you travel. Travel insurance can cover things such as payment for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and payment for trip cancellation, interruption and delay. The average cost of travel insurance is about 5% to 6% of the travel costs. You can compare the coverage and pricing of travel insurance options online.

December is a leading month for home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in part because of the potential fire hazards associated with holiday customs. By knowing about potential fire hazards and taking safety precautions to prevent them, you can enjoy a festive and fire-free holiday.

Christmas tree fire safety

If you're decorating with a live tree, choose a Christmas tree that has at least two feet of clearance beneath your ceiling and make sure your tree has plenty of water. Trim the tree branches so that your tree fits in a corner without brushing the walls or furniture. Cut branches far enough away from the ground to allow for proper ventilation even after presents begin to accumulate. All of this will help prevent a fire from spreading as quickly as it otherwise would.

Additional holiday décor fire safety tips:

• Place burning candles in sight, away from flammable items, and blow them out before leaving the room.
• Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket.
• Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house
• Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections
• Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow
• Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Never use furniture as a ladder, and use the correct height ladder when hanging items. Do not use a ladder by yourself, in case of a fall.

Fireplace safety:

• Have your chimney cleaned regularly. Otherwise, soot and other debris can build up and cause fires.
• Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fireplace
• Use a screen on the fireplace at all times when a fire is burning
• Never leave the fireplace burning unattended or when you are asleep
• You should have a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home, particularly if you have an active fireplace – whether wood burning or gas. Each year when decorating for the holidays, test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Visit the Winter Holidays Fire Facts website for more information on holiday fire safety.

Thousands of children are seriously injured in toy-related incidents every year according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). They offer three key steps to avoid safety hazards while gifting to children:

1. Choose age-appropriate toys: 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 three that do not have small parts which could be choking hazards. For children under six, avoid play sets that include small magnets. For children under 10, avoid toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Be particularly careful of button batteries, which are very dangerous if swallowed.
2. Give the gift of safety gear: When you give sports-related toys such as bicycles, skateboards and scooters, include safety gear with your gift. Helmets and safety gear should be worn properly at all times and be sized to fit. For children younger than 18 years old, nearly one out of every three toy-related injuries are associated with non-motorized scooters.
3. Play in a safe location: Be aware of where the child plays, particularly if they're on a ride-on toy. Avoid playing near traffic, pools or ponds.

Additional holiday safety tips for homes with children:

• Ensure sharp and breakable decorations are out of reach of small children.
• Place burning candles on a stable surface away from children and supervise children when near fire hazards such as fireplaces and fire pits.
• Plants used in holiday decorating, such as Mistletoe, some holly, and Amaryllis, are toxic if eaten. Keep these items out of reach of children and pets.
• Party favorites like bowls of nuts or candies can be a choking hazard for young children. Keep them out of reach.

An estimated 4,000 children under the age of 18 are taken to the emergency room every year in the days immediately following Christmas as a result of an injury sustained from a toy. By choosing age-appropriate toys, keeping an eye on your children during play and ensuring they wear safety gear, you can reduce the chances of your child being injured.

To find out more about holiday toy safety and recalls,  check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Whether you're toasting marshmallows or indulging in figgy pudding (we're not sure what it is, either!), celebrating the holiday seasons of Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah often centers around making our favorite meals together. And, staying safe in the kitchen will make your holiday season brighter.

First things first, food poisoning is not fun! Don't "gift" food poisoning to your guests. Be sure you're following food safety guidelines when cooking.

Follow these tips for safe food handling:

• 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.
• Thanksgiving leftovers are safe for three to four days when properly refrigerated.

Tips for thawing the turkey:

When it's time to thaw your turkey, take the proper precautions and do not thaw at room temperature. There are a few different ways to safely thaw your bird including:

• Refrigerator - leave the bird in the original wrapper and place it breast-side up. See that the refrigerator is not above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and allow one day of thawing for every four pounds.
• Cold water - put the turkey in a leak-proof bag and allow about 30 minutes per pound.
• Microwave - follow your microwave manufacturer's instructions.

According to the USDA, it's best to cook a refrigerator-thawed turkey within two days after thawing, and a microwave or cold water-thawed bird immediately.

Keep a watchful eye

Turkey and ham, and stuffing and mashed potatoes, oh my! So many dishes, and so little preparation time. But don't get distracted. Stay vigilant in the kitchen when making all your favorites. Over 1,600 cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day yearly, more than three times the average number of daily cooking fires throughout the year, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Tips for cooking safely:

1. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen.
2. Don't wear loose clothing or sleeves that dangle while cooking.
3. Don't leave the stove and oven unattended - stay in the kitchen. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove or put a cousin, an aunt or a friend in charge!
4. Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
5. Keep kids and pets away from the cooking area.
6. Keep anything that can catch fire, such as pot holders or oven mitts, away from your stove and ovens, including toaster ovens.
7. Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
8. Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
9. Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. There are also easy-to-use one-time-use fire extinguishers available that are lightweight and easy to store in the cabinet near your stove.

Read more holiday cooking safety tips from the Red Cross.

Beware the turkey fryer!

There's a reason turkey fryers have a reputation for being the "bad boys" of the holidays!  The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there have been hundreds of turkey fryer-related fires, burns or other injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage losses from these incidents.

Tips for cooking with a deep fryer:

• Never leave fryers unattended.
• Keep outdoor fryers a safe distance from structures, off wooden decks and away from trees. Never use fryers in garages.
• Place the fryer on a level surface and avoid moving it once it's in use. There should also be 2 feet between the burner and tank.
• Never attempt to fry a frozen turkey.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid overfilling. Choose the proper size turkey.
• Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner back on.
• Purchase a fryer with temperature controls. Continuously check the oil temperature carefully. Cooking oil that is heated beyond its smoke point can catch fire. If you notice the oil is smoking, TURN OFF THE FRYER.
• Wear protective cooking gear. Put on goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to help protect your hands and arms, also keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher close by.
• Once finished, turn off the burner and carefully remove the pot, place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing.