Winter safety tips Published Dec. 18, 2007 By Staff Reports 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Winter is upon us, and that means many people will be taking time to travel for vacations, see relatives, or spend time with loved ones at home. It's important to keep safety in mind throughout the holiday season. The presence of Christmas trees in many homes during the winter months means houses are more susceptible to fires than at any other time of the year. The following tips can help you and your family stay as safe as possible. Christmas tree safety: -- Inspect each string of lights for frayed and exposed wires or other damage. Replace bulbs with correct bulb types - don't overload your electrical sockets with lights. -- Try to get a tree that doesn't easily shed its needles or isn't too dry. The dropped needles can sometimes act as kindling. Keep trees away from fires or heaters. -- Unplug your tree at night or whenever you leave the house. -- Don't use outdoor light sets indoors. Cold-weather safety: -- Dress in layers to keep yourself warm. -- Keep your head and neck covered as they lose heat faster than other body parts. Driving safety: -- Wear your seatbelt. -- Drive with care, especially between dusk and dawn, as roads may be covered with black ice, which is very difficult to see. Watch for ice on bridges and overpasses. -- Inspect your vehicle's fluids, tires (including the spare), battery, cables, lights, brakes, wipers and belts. -- Consider packing a winter survival kit. Include a first-aid kit, blankets, compass, flashlight, extra batteries, flares, a shovel, snow chains, salt or cat food for traction, and food, like dried fruit and nuts for quick energy. -- If you're traveling for the holidays, let someone know when and where you'll be going. Don't block the view out of your vehicle when you're packing it. Ensure you get a good night's sleep the night before. -- Double the driving distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. That should give you as much room as you need to stop safely. -- Don't use your mobile phone while driving. Not only is it risky and unsafe, but it's illegal. Household safety: -- The risk of house fires is greater during the holiday season than any other time of the year. Have your chimney cleaned if you plan to use a fireplace. Make sure the flue is unobstructed and there are no branches close to the top of your chimney. Use a fire guard at all times and don't throw anything in the fire. Don't hang cards and decorations from the mantle. Ensure the fire is completely out before going to bed. -- Don't keep lit candles near curtains or leave them unattended or within the reach of children. -- Replace your smoke alarm's battery and test it. -- Keep charged fire extinguishers in the kitchen and rooms with fireplaces. Toy safety: -- Try to give age-appropriate toys to children. Often, toys have small parts which present choking hazards to small children. -- Ensure toys haven't been recalled for safety reasons. Winter sport safety: -- Ensure you have the proper equipment; it fits properly and is in good condition. -- Stretch before the activity to limit your chances of being injured. (Information courtesy of the 100th Air Refueling Wing Safety Office and the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Prevention Flight) (Photo courtesy of Liquid Library Copyright 2007)