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By Mike Causey

December brings us wonderful holidays, family gatherings, shorter days and, inevitably, cooler temperatures. As we prepare for Christmas and other winter holidays, let’s also prepare for potentially dangerous weather this winter.

Winter usually brings a lot of traveling, family gatherings and food preparation. And while North Carolina is not known for its harsh winters, that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down.

During the winter season, staying warm and safe can be a challenge.

Each year during the winter months, there is an increase in the number of home fires related to the various forms of heating.

Please remember these tips to prevent house fires:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

Winter can also bring treacherous traveling conditions. Sleet, snow and freezing rain can cause slippery roads that are hard to navigate. If the roads are slippery, consider delaying your trip until conditions improve if you can.

If you must travel in wintry weather conditions, here are some tips to help make your trip safer:

• Drive slowly. It’s harder to control or stop your vehicle on an ice or snow-covered roadway.
• Increase your following distance so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.
• Always wear your seat belt and ensure that everyone else in your vehicle is buckled up.
• Know whether your vehicle has an anti-lock brake system. Anti-lock brake systems prevent your wheels from locking up during braking. If you have anti-lock brakes, apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, you may need to pump the brakes if your wheels start to lock up.

Just walking can at times be treacherous, whether we’re walking around the house or outside in inclement weather. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency room visits for older adults.

Here are some tips to reduce the risk of falls:

• Take your time. Get up slowly and get your balance before walking.
• Keep stairs and walking areas free of clutter.
• Use non-slip mats on your bathroom floor and showers.
• Be aware of uneven surfaces like rugs and uneven sidewalks.
• Be careful on stairs. Use the handrails and make sure they are well lit.

Let’s practice safety habits as we celebrate this wonderful time of year.

Mike Causey is the insurance commissioner for North Carolina.

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