This is a busy time of year. Whether you are going away, or staying home this holiday season, CAA Saskatchewan has some advice on how to keep you and your loved ones safe.   

Stay at Home Holiday Safety Advice: 

• Check your Christmas tree. Artificial trees should be fire-resistant, and live trees need to be watered. It’s a safe idea to not place your tree near heat sources such as fireplaces and heaters.
• Inspect holiday lights. Look for broken, frayed, or loose connections and toss damaged light sets. Turn off all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into outlets that have ground fault circuit interrupters.
• Be mindful when decorating. Place items away from lights, candles, heaters, and fireplaces. Candles should be placed in non-combustible containers and never leave burning candles unattended.
• Keep Christmas gifts away from grinches. 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. 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.
• Safety check every room. 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.  

Away from Home Holiday Safety Advice:   

• Pause newspapers & mail delivery. Suspend delivery and arrange for someone to pick up your mail or contact the service providers to store it until your return.
• Ensure a silent night by being discreet with social media posts. Show discretion, never letting potential burglars know that you are not home.
• Secure your doors, windows, and garage. 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. Close and lock the garage door and keep your vehicle locked, especially if it has an electric garage door opener.
• Use timers. Set timers for the lights, TV, and or the radio in your house.
• Turn off water supply and have someone check the pipes. Have a friend or neighbour check your home 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 on 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.
• Make sure your home insurance is up to date. Review and know what your home insurance coverage includes. 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.

 Air Travel Holiday Safety Advice: 

• Check flight status. Check times and gate numbers frequently as flight cancellations and delays are likely during peak periods. Before driving to the airport, check your 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.
• Know your air passenger rights. CAA has long been an advocate for air travellers. Review the handy and mobile friendly CAA Air Passenger Help Guide to navigate the rules should you experience problems such as flights delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and getting bumped from a flight, and denied boarding.
• Monitor the weather. Watch for departure changes and conditions at destination cities.
• Check your travel insurance. If you are leaving the province or country, purchase travel insurance (including medical) to stay safe on your vacation.
• Remember your photo id. Make sure that you have proper photo identification and that your passports up to date and valid for the time required by the country or countries visited. Passport photos are available at all CAA Stores. 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.
• Pack and store medications properly. Store medications in their original containers and pack in your carry-on bags.
• Weigh your packed luggage. Know weight allowances 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. 

 Road Trip Holiday 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 construction zones on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline.
• Slow to 60 km/h on Saskatchewan highways. For emergency or first responders including tow truck operators, law enforcement,  firefighters, construction workers, and paramedics. Slow down move over if possible.
• See and be seen. In many vehicles, the daytime running lights are always on. But this doesn’t mean that the rear lighting is on which results in ‘Phantom Vehicles’ that are virtually invisible from behind because their rear lights aren’t on. Turn your vehicle headlights and taillights on in harsh weather and in low visibility.
• Watch for snowplows. 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. To better understand definitions and differences relating to visibility conditions, primary conditions, and secondary conditions learn Winter Road Terminology.
• 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 starting 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 (available 24/7, 365 days a year), 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 gas tank at least half full. Having a full tank of gas helps reduce moisture in the gas tank plus it adds weight to your vehicle.
• Invest in 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:

Angel Blair   
Senior Communications Specialist   
CAA Saskatchewan   
Angel.Blair@caask.ca   
(306) 216-7362