Keep safety in mind this holiday season Published Dec. 9, 2008 By Senior Master Sgt. Bret Wanty 52nd Fighter Wing Safety Office SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The holiday season is a joyful time for many. It's a time we spend with family and friends, as well as a chance to reflect on the past year and make plans for the new one. Many Sabers will be traveling significant distances to spend time with family and friends during this holiday season. Planning travel well in advance and being flexible will go a long way - things don't always go as expected. Conduct a personal risk assessment before traveling, shopping and even while decorating your home this holiday season. On the roads Consider all potential areas of risk when driving - unfamiliar roads, adverse weather conditions and traffic delays. Check your automobile's fluids, especially windshield and radiator fluids. Check the quality of your windshield wipers and the depth of the tread on your tires. Don't forget to take an emergency roadside kit and tell someone the route you will be traveling. Better yet, travel with a wingman if at all possible. The National Safety Council recommends checking the weather along your route in advance and staying current on this information through the Internet, radio and television. Dress for the weather you will experience while traveling. Take a blanket and keep your cell phone charged. Remember to adjust your speed not only for the speed limit, but also for the road conditions. Driving too fast allows less reaction time and reduces chances of recovering from a mistake. This past winter, without any snow involved, Sabers were involved in 217 vehicle mishaps between November and February - 62 of those being major accidents. By simply slowing down, increasing following distance and eliminating distractions, you can dramatically decrease your chances of being involved in an accident. The seemingly insignificant act of parking your car in a busy parking lot can actcually pose a high risk. To protect yourself, drive slowly, watch for illuminated taillights of cars backing out, drive defensively along marked parking areas and be patient. Cutting across parking lanes reduces your predictability and the chance that others will see you. When backing out, if you can't see behind or alongside your vehicle, roll down your windows to improve vision and use a spotter. Ensure your spotter is standing in an area protected from traffic while still able to maintain a clear view of your vehicle's pathway. Improper backing ranks as the top cause of parking lot mishaps. In your home Take necessary precautions while decorating your home for the holidays. Inside or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety. Identify these tested lights by a label attached to the lights. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or exposed wires or loose connections. Discard damaged sets or have them repaired by a qualified electrician. Check the polarity if using a transformer. Disconnect all electrical cords before going to sleep. When making paper decorations, look for materials labeled noncombustible or flame-resistant. If you must stand higher to decorate, use a ladder that is in good repair and use a wingman to steady your balance. If you choose an artificial Christmas tree, purchase one that is fire resistant. When buying or cutting a real tree, choose a fresh one and cut the trunk two inches above the initial cut to allow the tree to better absorb water. Don't forget to water it consistently throughout the holiday. Unsurprisingly, fires sparked by candles are twice as likely to occur in December as during any other month of the year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Taking a few cautionary steps can mitigate this threat. Never leave burning candles unattended, extinguish all candles before going to sleep and never use candles to decorate your tree. When burning candles, keep them out of reach of children and pets. Finally, examine the vicinity of your candles before lighting them. Holiday parties Always choose a designated driver before attending a party, and never let people leave your home alone without a designated driver and travel plan. Know the number of the local taxi service before going out and call for a cab if necessary. Make sure to look out for your wingman during and after the party until they are safely home, and make sure you choose a wingman who will do the same for you. Most importantly, remember that it's never worth the risk to drink and drive.