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Your holiday plans are probably in full swing by now. Summertime is generally about going on vacation, preparing for family activities, or staying home to unwind from the everyday demands of the year. However, it’s also a season with increased threats for homeowners.

Crimes like house robberies and unexpected emergencies can bring threats and risks that may affect your holidays. It’s crucial to remain prepared for anything. Read on for six practical tips to improve your safety during the holidays.

Consider a First Aid Kit

Firstly, always ensure a fully stocked first aid kit in your home. Access to emergency supplies is an effective way to treat injuries and illnesses. In most cases, it can save you on medical expenses unless a visit to the emergency room is necessary.

You should regularly check if the items in your first aid kit are still usable. The advantages of having an emergency kit at home include:

• Reducing recovery time.
• Prevention of infections.
• Minimising excessive bleeding.
• Lifesaving in severe emergencies.
• Reduces fatal risks before emergency responders arrive.

Be Mindful of Your Children

Accidents can happen when you have children. That’s why it’s crucial to teach them about home safety and to be aware of potential dangers that can arise. Children are vulnerable to hazards such as falling objects, fires and drowning at home.

Childproofing your home can reduce possible dangers. Additionally, it can provide a safe environment for your children to play freely. It can also help you relax peacefully, knowing you have done all you can to protect them.

Be Wary of Water Hazards

Summertime involves lots of swimming and playful activities. Spending time with your loved ones by the pool or taking a trip to the beach should include teaching them about water safety. If you have a swimming pool, you should consider setting rules.

Helpful water safety tips you can include are:

• Using fencing or pool covers when no one is swimming.
• Learning CPR.
• Swimming lessons for your kids.
• Ensuring swimming takes place under adult supervision.

Enhance Road Safety

Suppose you are planning long drives this holiday or to visit family. In that case, you should enhance your car’s safety. The challenges of driving long distances around this time of the year include sharing the road with distracted drivers, heavy traffic, and extreme weather conditions. Planning your trip and driving with extra caution can help improve road safety for you and your loved ones.

The first thing that should be a priority is checking your vehicle for any mechanical issues that can lead to accidents while driving. If you will be spending hours on the road, avoid risky behaviour and stay alert as much as possible. Ensuring road safety can help prevent life-threatening accidents these holidays.

Ensure Fire Safety

With load shedding and festive celebrations, fire safety remains crucial these holidays. Awareness and planning can help reduce the risk of fire incidents. Taking basic fire precautions when cooking, having a braai or setting up your Christmas decorations can help prevent existing fire hazards at home.

You should think about the potential dangers of working with open flames. Ensure you follow these safety precautions:

• Have a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Know when to escape a life-threatening fire.
• Use the iER App to access emergency fire services.
• Keep your children away from open flames, matches, and candles.
• Have a first aid kit with burn relief treatment.

Improve Your Security

Home security should be a top priority if you plan to spend some time away this holiday. Studies suggest that crime rates increase around the festive season. However, it’s easy to forget about basic safety measures when you have a lot on your mind to plan.

Improving your home security is essential to prevent break-ins and unwanted activity by criminals while you are away. These are practical tips to follow for enhanced home security:

• Lock your doors and windows.
• Safely store valuable items.
• Install a home security system.
• Download the iER App.
• Don’t mention your holiday plans on social media.

In summary, improving your safety with adequate security measures is crucial when going away during these holidays. With increased home threats and crime levels, it’s essential to prioritise overall safety for you and your loved ones. Luckily, the iER App is South Africa’s leading 911 emergency assistance, and you can access over 14,000 emergency service providers nationwide, 24 hours, seven days a week.