Safety Newsletter
The holidays are a time for joy, togetherness, and indulgent feasts. But they’re also when household accidents and fires are most likely to occur. Keep your holidays merry—not scary—by following these 12 Holiday Safety Tips:
Keep decorations at least three feet away from heat sources, especially open flames like candles and fireplaces. Always blow out candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.
Do not run cords under rugs or furniture, out of windows, or across walkways and sidewalks. Tripping hazards and electrical issues can quickly spoil the fun.
If you have a natural Christmas tree, keep it hydrated to prevent it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Dispose of it promptly after the holidays—dried-out trees are extremely flammable.
Always switch off holiday lights and decorations when you leave home or go to bed. Most deadly fires happen while people are sleeping.
If you’re relying on extension cords or adapters to power up your décor, consider having a licensed electrician install additional outlets. Overloaded circuits are a leading cause of home fires.
Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. Make sure any electronic decorations are in a safe, dry place. As tempting as it is, you just can’t decorate your aquarium with icicle lights.
Keep phones and tablets on your nightstand and off your bed while charging. We all love falling asleep to the muffled crooning of Bing Crosby and Michael Bublé, but overheating devices under blankets can lead to serious fires.
Looking for a meaningful present? Smoke alarms are lifesavers. Every home should have one in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level—including the basement. Remember to test yours regularly.
Turn off portable heaters when leaving a room. They can quickly ignite nearby flammable items like blankets, curtains, or furniture.
Check all holiday lights, cords, and decorations for damage or frayed wires. Talk to your aunt about that life-sized Elvis-dressed-as-Santa statue. It’s falling apart, it’s creepy and it’s got to go.
Keep batteries in their original packaging and out of reach of curious kids and pets. Swallowing a battery can cause severe injury or even be fatal.
Protect your home by installing AFCI breakers or outlets. It is estimated that half of the electrical fires that occur every year could be prevented by AFCIs. Make sure these upgrades are handled by a licensed electrician for maximum safety.
This month, we recognize the incredible crew who safely and efficiently removed obsolete fire water piping at the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant. Dormant since 2011, the piping ran through several enclosures and required scaffold modifications to access and remove. Working in tight spaces near guarded equipment and critical components, the team executed each lift with precision, ensuring no lifting over sensitive systems. Their meticulous planning and attention to detail were key to the project’s success.
Despite the challenges, the crew completed the job without a single Human Performance (HU) event or safety incident. Their expertise, teamwork, and dedication to safety resulted in the flawless removal of all obsolete piping, exceeding expectations. Congratulations to the team for a job well done—you’ve set the standard for excellence!
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