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Holiday & Cold Weather Tips

Holiday Safety Tips- Christmas Tree Disposal Tips and Alternatives

christmas trees piled behind a fence with a sign that says "compost our christmas tree here"
Mulching, recycling and repurposing for wildlife habitats are among the options for real Christmas trees once the holiday season is over.
Getty Images

Tips And Alternatives For Christmas Tree Disposal

“Dried Christmas trees can be a real fire hazard, especially if, as some people have done, the tree is set on fire as a means of disposing of it,” Stafford said. “Depending on the location and circumstances, this could start a wildfire.”

Stafford said there are a number of safer — and more creative — ways to dispose of a real Christmas tree. Many local recycling centers have free drop-off locations where they will chip and shred the tree. She said some other applications for used Christmas trees might include:

  • Cutting up the tree and using the firewood for small and carefully planned campfires.
  • Mulching the tree and using it in landscaping beds.

“Composting is another great way to dispose of your Christmas tree and extend its use,” Stafford said. “The branches from your tree make a good base for a compost pile. If you take your tree to a chipper, you can use the resulting mulch in your compost heap. Compost makes great natural fertilizer.”

  • Chip it. Some local communities will host chipping days after Christmas to provide a safe way to dispose of trees.
  • Cut the trunk into small pieces and use it as pathway edging.
  • If feasible, toss the tree in a pond to create a fish habitat and help produce nutrients for aquatic life.

In addition, many communities offer curbside pickup of Christmas trees for recycling once the holiday season is over. Best practices for preparing Christmas trees for community waste pickup include:

  • Making sure all ornaments, ribbons, tinsel, lights and other decorations are removed.
  • Cutting the tree into four-foot sections or shorter.
  • Chopping smaller trees into pieces small enough to fit inside the waste can.

The Pick Your Own Christmas Tree site has an alphabetical listing of Texas cities where people can recycle their Christmas tree.

A flocked tree can’t be recycled and shouldn’t be turned into mulch. Instead, cut it into pieces for disposal. However, some local waste management departments will not accept flocked trees for disposal, so check for specific department guidelines.

TAMU

Holiday Safety Tips- Prevent Food Poisoning During the Holidays

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Holiday meal on a table.

Feasting with family is part of many holiday celebrations. Follow these tips to help prevent food poisoning, or foodborne illness, during the holidays.

  • Keep foods separatedexternal icon. Keep meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods at the grocery store and in the refrigerator. Prevent juices from meat, chicken, turkey, and seafood from dripping or leaking onto other foods by keeping them in containers or sealed plastic bags. Store eggs in their original carton in the main compartment of the refrigerator.
  • Cook food thoroughlyexternal icon. Meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, and eggs can carry germs that cause food poisoning. Use a food thermometer to ensure these foods have been cooked to a safe internal temperatureexternal icon. Roasts, chops, steaks, and fresh ham should rest for 3 minutes after you remove them from the oven or grill.
  • Keep food out of the “danger zone.”external icon Bacteria can grow rapidly in the danger zone between 40°F and 140°F. After food is prepared, keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Refrigerate or freeze any perishable food within 2 hours (1 hour if food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F, such as in a hot car). The temperature in your refrigerator should be set at or below 40°F and the freezer at or below 0°F.
  • Use pasteurized eggs for dishes containing raw eggs. Salmonella and other harmful germs can live on both the outside and inside of normal-looking eggs. Many holiday favorites contain raw eggs, including eggnog, tiramisu, hollandaise sauce, and Caesar dressing. Always use pasteurized eggs when making these and other foods made with raw eggs.
  • Do not eat raw dough or batterexternal icon. Dough and batter made with flour or eggs can contain harmful germs, such as E. coli and Salmonella. Do not taste or eat raw dough or batter that is meant to be baked or cooked. This includes dough or batter for cookies, cakes, pies, biscuits, pancakes, tortillas, pizza, or crafts. Do not let children taste raw dough or batter or play with dough at home or in restaurants. Some companies and stores offer edible cookie dough that uses heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs or no eggs. Read the label carefully to make sure the dough is meant to be eaten without baking or cooking.
  • Thaw your turkey safelyexternal icon. Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water (change the water every 30 minutes), or in the microwave. Avoid thawing foods on the counter. A turkey must thawexternal icon at a safe temperature to prevent harmful germs from growing rapidly.
  • Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and water during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
    • Before, during, and after preparing food
    • Before eating food
    • After handling pet food or pet treats or touching pets
    • After using the toilet
    • After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
    • After touching garbage
    • Before and after caring for someone who is sick
    • Before and after treating a cut or wound
    • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

 

Pregnancy and Holiday Food

Pregnant women are at increased risk of food poisoning, so take extra care if you’re pregnant or preparing food for someone who is.

Close up of a pregnant woman

Pregnant women are 10 times more likely than others to get listeriosis, a rare but deadly foodborne infection caused by the bacteria Listeria. Learn how to protect yourself from this harmful germ.

CDC

Holiday Safety Tips- 10 Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

10 Holiday Safety Tips to Share with Your Tenants - Article | Think Realty

Fairfax, VA. Friday, November 17, 2017— Millions of people will gather for Thanksgiving to enjoy time with loved ones and a delicious holiday dinner. With cooking being the number one cause of home fires, the American Red Cross recommends that everyone follow these fire safety steps:
  1. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year if your smoke alarm requires it.
  2. Don’t wear loose clothing or sleeves that dangle while cooking.
  3. If you are frying, grilling or broiling food, never leave it unattended – stay in the kitchen. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  4. If you’re simmering, baking, roasting or broiling food, check it regularly.
  5. Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
  6. Keep kids and pets away from the cooking area. Make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.
  7. Keep anything that can catch fire – pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
  8. Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
  9. Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.
  10. Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen. Contact your local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.

Bonus Tip

The Red Cross First Aid App provides expert advice for common mishaps or emergencies including cuts, burns and what to do if someone is choking. Download the app for free in your app store or text GETFIRST to 90999.

Help Sound the Alarm

With the support of 4,400 partner organizations, the Red Cross has helped to make more than one million people safer through home visits to install free smoke alarms, assist families with developing fire escape plans and provide home fire safety education.

Join this Red Cross effort today by volunteering to install smoke alarms in your community, making a financial contribution, or taking steps to protect your own family from home fires. Together, we can Sound the Alarm about fire safety and help save lives. Visit SoundTheAlarm.org for more information.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

🚗 Holiday Safety Tips- Best Tips for a Holiday Road Trip

As the holidays near, there’s a lot to be thankful for and if predictions prove true, Americans will be hitting the road for the long weekend at close to pre-pandemic levels.

A new AAA study shows that 53.4 million people will travel for the long weekend, representing a 13% increase from 2020. That’s within 5% of the levels last seen in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The majority, or 90% of those travelers, will hit the road in their vehicles. That means more traffic and congested Interstates and other roadways during your trip.

Before you set out on your road trip, stay safe and sane with our top road trip tips to help you get ready for the drive.

Long Island Winter Travel Tips | Westbury Toyota Blog

12 Best Ideas to Prepare for a Holiday Road Trip

  1. Preset your navigation. Set your destination in your navigation well before your departure. This will be one less thing to worry about when you’re loading up the car at the last minute to get on the road in a timely manner.
  2. Check your driver and safety assists. If your car is equipped with various driver-assistance systems (adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert), make sure you turn them all on to help keep your journey safe for the ride.
  3. Look at the weather report. Find out what the weather and road conditions will be like before you depart. For road trippers living in colder climates, check the weather forecast because you don’t want to be caught off guard by a winter storm or road closures in the middle of your trip. The Federal Highway Administration’s website is an excellent resource. You can also research any number of other reliable traffic and weather sites you can visit for information.
  4. Keep an emergency kit in the car. Be ready for potential snow or ice. Thanksgiving is often the first winter driving weekend for those up north. To prepare, equip your vehicle with emergency supplies like thermal blankets, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight, hand warmers, a window scraper, and more. Read our story: Items Everyone Needs in the Car, for your full preparation list.
  5. Pack an extra charger for your cell phone. You never know when you’re going to run low on power. Keep an extra charger in the car. You’ll be glad you did, especially in the event of an emergency.
  6. Talk safe. Remember not to talk and drive on your mobile unless you’re doing it hands-free or while pulled over safely on the highway.
  7. Wear seatbelts. You may wonder, “why suggest this, it’s a law.” Passengers in the car might fall asleep, but stay vigilant and remind everyone in the car to properly wear seatbelts, especially if you’re in a larger vehicle such as a van or RV.
  8. Take regular breaks. We all get tired on long trips. So take breaks. That’s what rest areas are for. Stop at least once every two to four hours and more frequently if it’s snowing. Falling snow can have a hypnotic affect. The same goes for night driving. Taking breaks reduces fatigue and tunnel vision on the highway.
  9. Watch your speed. Driving too fast to cut travel time is especially risky when highways are packed with holiday traffic. It’s just not worth it. Plus, state police will be out in full force to catch rule-breakers.
  10. Don’t drink and drive! This one’s a no-brainer. Just don’t do it. No matter what.
  11. Try not to overeat. Eating too much can make you tired during the drive back home. Especially turkey, which contains a natural sedative called L-tryptophan.
  12. Cut distractions. Supply the kids with games and movies so they don’t distract you. Get those movies set up before you pull out of the driveway. Teach them timeless road trip games like the license plate game, the billboard game, and more. These might keep the passengers busy for hours. If all else fails, you can always arm them with their devices (with headphones of course). For your own entertainment, connect your phone to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto ahead of time.

Have fun. Holiday road trips can be a great pastime for the whole family while creating wonderful memories. Enjoy the adventure!

Read Related Stories:

Auto Trader

Holiday Safety Tips- Driving in Winter Weather

How to handle icy roads when driving in winter | Toyota of Clermont

 

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for travelers. Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Drivers should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA urges drivers to be cautious while driving in adverse weather.

AAA recommends the following tips while driving in snowy and icy conditions:

Cold Weather Driving Tips

  • Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car, such as extra food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications, and more.
  • Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread.
  • Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
  • Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
  • Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface, such as on ice and snow.

Tips for Long-Distance Winter Trips

  • Be Prepared: Have your vehicle checked by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility before hitting the road.
  • Check the Weather: Check the weather along your route and when possible, delay your trip if bad weather is expected.
  • Stay Connected: Before hitting the road, notify others and let them know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
  • If you get stuck in the snow:
    • Stay with your vehicle: Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm. It is easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
    • Don’t over exert yourself: When digging out your vehicle, listen to your body and stop if you become tired.
    • Be Visible: Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
    • Clear the Exhaust Pipe: Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is running.
    • Stay Warm: Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps. Pre-pack blankets and heavy clothing to use in case of an emergency.
    • Conserve Fuel: If possible, only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill. This will help to conserve fuel.

Tips for Driving in the Snow

  • Stay home. Only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.
  • Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
  • Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
  • Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
  • Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
  • Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
  • Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
  • Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

AAA