Stay safe while decorating and traveling this season!

Whether you’re decking halls or visiting grandma, safety goes beyond the job site. Take a few minutes to read over some ladder and travel safety tips!

Ladder Safety

Did you know that during the holiday season there are an average of 160 decorating related injuries daily (United States Consumer Product Safety Commission)? Half of these injuries are associated with falls.

Decorate safely and follow these helpful ladder tips:

Never use furniture as a ladder.
Inspect the ladder for any damage prior to use.
Use the right ladder for the task.
Follow the 1-to-4 rule for extension ladders—for every four feet the ladder rises, move the base out one foot from the structure.
Always keep three points of contact on the ladder: two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand.

Holiday Travel

Getting to our families can be extra stressful this time of year. Practice vigilance and safe driving practices to get you from point A to point B as safely as possible.

Be careful when backing out of parking spaces! It’s a good idea to have someone act as a lookout for you, especially if you’re parked next to an SUV or a van. Watch out for other vehicles that might suddenly back out of spaces.
Remember to be on the lookout for small children running behind your car as you leave your space.
Avoid aggressive and angry driving.
Wear your seatbelt, avoid driving distractions, and drowsy driving.
Adjust following distance and speed in snowy or icy conditions.
A little eggnog might be a nice treat during the holidays. Be sure to arrange a rideshare service or designate a sober driver ahead of time if you plan to drink at holiday gatherings.
Take time to winterize your car.
Remember that cold weather takes its toll on car batteries. Make sure you have jumper cables or an easy jump-start in your trunk!
Weather can be unpredictable. Stock your vehicle with thick blankets, extra food and water, coats and jackets, a flashlight, and a car emergency kit if you’re travelling in cold climates.