On behalf of the Department of Public Safety, please see the below holiday safety tips:

Around your home:

• Be sure to salt (or use a deicer for) your driveways and stairs.
• Track your packages, parcels and deliveries and remove the parcel as soon as possible.
• When possible, have someone at home to receive packages.
• Install a RING camera or other front door camera to watch for deliveries.

Vehicle safety:

• Clear all snow off your windshield and vehicle before driving.
• Lock your vehicle at all times.
• Change your winter tires as soon as possible.
• Place an emergency kit in your car (blanket, candle in a can, lighter, matches, flashlights, booster battery pack, jumper cables, water, energy bar, hard candies).
• Check that your windshield wipers are in good conditions.
• Top up your windshield washer fluid.
• Do regular maintenance checks to ensure your vehicle is in good running condition.
• Keep your cell phone fully charged in case of emergency.
• Have charging cords and/or extra battery power pack for your cellular phone available.
• Remain with your vehicle when warming the engine and keep doors locked.
• Keep packages, gifts, purchases in the trunk or out of sight to prevent theft.

Traveling for the holidays? Be prepared:

• If you're traveling this year, be sure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest and be prepared for any emergency.
• Stay safe on the roads over the holidays — and every day.
• Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you.
• Get a good night’s sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving.
• Leave early, planning ahead for heavy traffic.
• Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled.
• Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit.
• Practice defensive driving.
• Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs can cause impairment.

Toys and gifts:

• New toys and gifts are holiday highlights for many children. Minimize potential hazards from new gifts by buying sturdy, well-made toys that are appropriate for your child's age.
• Toys for older children may contain small parts or other hazards that may make them unsafe for young children.

 Holiday trees:

• When buying a real tree, make sure it's fresh (you can tell if the needles are hard to pull off). Water the tree daily once you bring it indoors for decorating.
• Place the tree away from high traffic areas and doorways. Make sure the tree is well-secured in a sturdy stand.
• Place the tree away from heating vents, radiators, stoves, fireplaces and burning candles.
• Keep metal, sharp or breakable tree ornaments with small removable parts away from young children.
• Dispose of the tree as soon as the holidays are over, or as soon as the needles start to fall. Dispose of it according to local regulations--most municipalities have tree recycling programs.