Staying home or travelling this holiday season? Here’s some advice from CAA Saskatchewan to help keep you and your family safe.

Holiday at Home Safety Advice:

• Christmas Trees: Check to see that artificial trees are “fire resistant.” Live trees need to be watered. It’s a safe idea to not place your tree near heat sources such as fireplaces and heaters.
• Holiday Lights: Inspect for broken, frayed, or loose connections and toss damaged sets. Turn off all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into ground fault circuit interrupters.
• Indoor Decorations: Place away from lights, candles, heaters, and fireplaces. Candles should be placed in non-combustible containers and never leave burning candles unattended.
• Christmas Gifts: Be discreet with window display of gifts to prevent interest from burglars. Keep watch for any suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood and report any questionable observations to your local police.
• Family Safety: Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children. Cooking or baking should not be left unattended. Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms must be properly installed and in good working condition. Have the chimney and furnace professionally cleaned and inspected.

Holiday Away from Home Safety Advice:

• Newspapers & Mail Delivery: Suspend delivery and arrange for someone to pick up your mail or contact the service to store it until your return.
• Social Media: Show discretion, never letting potential burglars know that you are not home.
• Doors & Windows: Securely shut and lock all doors and windows. For sliding doors, use specially designed bars or locks to prevent doors from being lifted out of their tracks. Consider installing security bars on basement windows especially on windows that may be shielded from view or in the back of the house.
• Timers: Use for lights and the TV or radio.
• Water Supply: Turn it off and drain water lines and toilet tanks.
• Check the Water Pipes: Have someone enter your home and check on things to ensure the pipes are not frozen. Review your insurance policy to determine how often your home should be checked during the winter months.
• Make Your Home Look Lived In: Ask a neighbour to shovel snow around your driveway and sidewalks. Encourage neighbours or friends to use your driveway so it looks like someone is coming and going on a regular basis. Leave blinds or curtains in normal position – don’t close them completely. If you notice signs of forced entry when you return home, do not go inside. Call the police from a neighbour’s home or use your mobile device, from a safe distance.
• Garage Door: Close and lock the door and keep your vehicle locked, especially if it has an electric garage door opener.
• Home Insurance Advice: Make sure your home insurance is up to date and that it will provide coverage for all your belongings. Advise your insurance broker of any changes required for major purchases or renovations. CAA Insurance has a Property Checklist that can be used to create a list of personal belongings along with their replacement value. In the event of a claim, the checklist provides valuable information when settling your claim with an adjustor.

Holiday Air Travel Safety Advice:

• Booked Flights: Check these frequently as flight cancellations and delays are likely during peak periods. Before driving to the airport, check the flight status to avoid airport waiting periods.
• Know Your Airline’s Cancellation Policy: Some airlines may be waiving fees and issuing changes due to possible rebooking policies.
• Monitor Weather Conditions: For the departure and destination cities.
• Travel Insurance: If you are leaving the province or country, purchase travel medical insurance to stay safe on your vacation.
• Photo ID: Make sure that you have proper photo identification and that your passport is up to date and is valid for the time required by the country or countries visited. Make photocopies of your passport, credit cards, etc. and leave a copy at home with family or friends and keep photocopies with you along with the originals stored in a separate location.
• Medications: Store medications in their original containers and pack in your carry-on bags.
• Weigh Your Packed Luggage: To avoid additional airline charges.
• Travel With Someone You Trust: Book with CAA Travel and stay connected with your local CAA Travel consultant for their knowledgeable assistance and expertise.
• Know Your Air Passenger Rights. CAA has long been an advocate for your rights as an air traveller and we have your back. Learn more at caask.ca/airpassengerrights. CAA’s NEW Air Passenger Rights Guide will be launched in January 2024.

Holiday Road Trip Safety Advice:

• Check Weather and Road Conditions: Drive according to the current conditions. Prepare to reduce your speed and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.
• Get Information On Highway Conditions: Including road closures and constructions zones on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline. Download the new app.
• Slow to 60 km/h on Saskatchewan Highways: For emergency or first responders including tow truck operators, law enforcement, and paramedics. Slow down move over if possible.
• See and Be Seen: Before sunrise, after sunset and in harsh weather, you get what are known as phantom vehicles. These vehicles are virtually invisible from behind because their rear lights aren’t on. For cars lacking an automatic option, keep your headlights on when driving.
• Watch For Snow Plows: The blue lights are on whenever the plow is engaged in winter activity. This can include surveying, sanding, plowing, etc. Learn how to drive near snow plows.
• Check Your Vehicle’s Battery and Block Heater: Extreme weather weakens the battery and may require charging. Make sure the block heater cord is not frayed. Always plug in at minus 15 degrees Celsius.
• Pack a Roadside Safety Kit: Including extra outdoor gear and footwear for all passengers, blankets, a mobile phone with charger for emergency use only or for CAA Roadside Assistance, non-perishable food, drinking water, a shovel, window ice scraper and brush, plus booster cables. Roadside safety kits are available at all CAA Stores and online. If you become stranded, stay in your vehicle as it provides temporary shelter until help arrives.
• Keep a Full Tank or At Minimum a Half Tank: This helps reduce moisture in the gas tank plus it adds weight to your vehicle.
• Winter Tires: CAA recommends a good set of winter tires as the rubber compound in winter tires allows for better traction and control.

For further information or media interviews, contact:

Christine Niemczyk
Director of Communications
CAA Saskatchewan
306.791.4327
christine.niemczyk@caask.ca