🎄 Holiday Season Safety & Preparedness — from LaSalle County EMA

As the festive season approaches and families across LaSalle County begin decorating, traveling, and gathering to celebrate, the team at LaSalle County EMA would like to remind everyone — holiday joy should go hand in hand with safety and preparedness. Between winter weather, seasonal decorating, holiday travel, and more, there are simple steps we can all take to keep our homes, families, and community safe this Christmas.

✅ Get Winter-Ready: Home, Vehicle & Family

• Build or refresh your winter emergency kit — Whether at home or in your car, stock up on essentials: extra blankets, flashlights and batteries, first-aid supplies, non-perishable food and water, and for vehicles: ice scraper, snow brush, jumper cables, sand or kitty litter (for traction), and a small shovel.

• Winterize your home and heating systems. Check insulation, seal windows and doors, ensure your furnace or heating source is maintained properly. If using a fireplace or wood/coal stove, verify that flues and chimneys are clean and clear, and ensure working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in place and tested regularly.

• Stay alert for severe weather. Winter storms can strike suddenly. Keep up-to-date with forecasts and weather alerts — especially when planning holiday travel or outings.

🏡 Safer Decorating & Holiday Fire Prevention

Decorations add warmth and magic to the season — but they also bring increased fire risk. Here’s how to keep your home festive and safe:

• Inspect holiday lights before use. Discard any with frayed wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections — these are a common source of fire hazards.

• Place a live tree well away (at least 3 feet) from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, or heaters. If using a live tree: keep it well watered. If using an artificial tree: make sure it’s labeled flame-resistant.

• If you use candles, never leave them unattended; place them in stable holders far from flammable materials — or better yet, use battery-operated flameless candles.

• Turn off all decorative lights before going to bed or leaving the house. This simple step significantly reduces the risk of holiday-related fires.

🚗 Holiday Travel & Winter Driving — Be Smart, Be Safe

Holiday travel often involves winter roads, sometimes under hazardous conditions. As outlined in our recent “Winter Driving Hazards” advisory, these are extra important this time of year.

• Prepare your vehicle. Before heading out, check tires, wipers, battery, fluid levels, and ensure your defroster/heater work. Keep at least half a tank of gas, and consider carrying tire chains if you expect difficult road conditions.

• Pack a winter travel kit. Blankets, extra warm clothing, flashlight, non-perishable snacks, first-aid kit, ice scraper, sand or kitty litter for traction — these items can make a critical difference if you get stuck or stranded.

• Plan ahead — and share your plans. Check the full weather forecast along your route (not just your destination), and let someone know your travel plans, expected route, and arrival time. If conditions look hazardous, consider delaying travel.

🎁 Holiday Gatherings, Gifts & Everyday Safety

• When hosting or attending gatherings, stay mindful of fire safety (as noted above) — especially around decorated areas, trees, and heating sources.

• Keep food safety in mind if cooking: wash hands, avoid cross-contamination, cook to safe temperatures, and refrigerate leftovers promptly (especially important if large amounts of food are involved).

• If giving toys or gifts: always check age recommendations, avoid small parts for young children (choking hazards), and make sure any ride-on toys come with proper safety gear (helmets, etc.).

📲 Stay Connected — Use the LaSalle County EMA App

To help keep our community informed, the LaSalle County EMA offers a free smartphone app, available on iOS and Android. Through the app you’ll receive real-time weather alerts, emergency notifications, and preparedness tips tailored for LaSalle County.

We strongly encourage all residents to download the app now — and keep it handy throughout the holiday season.

As you gather with loved ones, decorate your home, travel across the county or state, and celebrate together this holiday season — please remember: a little planning goes a long way. From all of us at LaSalle County EMA, we wish you a safe, happy, and peaceful Christmas. 🎄

For further winter-safety resources, preparedness guides, and to download our app, please visit www.lasallecountyema.org.

Stay safe, stay prepared.

— LaSalle County EMA