Holiday season safety tips

‘Tis the season to deck the halls…falalalala lala la la! Yes, it is already that time of year again! Holiday festivities (and chaos!) are just around the corner, and there is no better time to ensure that you and your family are safe.

Holiday season safety infographic

It's party time graphic, showing wine glasses, taxi and a clock

The holiday season safety infographic provides tips on:


Additional tips


Around the house

Christmas tree

Christmas snowflake decoration

Decorations

Fireplace

If a crime has occurred, do not enter your home

Mail theft

The holiday season is a busy time for couriers, Canada Post and mail thieves.


Having a party

wine glasses

With holiday parties about to swing into full gear, are you prepared to be a responsible host? Follow these tips to ensure your party is a hit and your guests make it home safe.

Have a plan to prevent drinking and driving

Keep the focus off alcohol

What to do if a guest is drunk


Driving home

Remember, drinking and driving kills. The choice to drive or not to drive is yours. Please be a responsible adult and make the right choice. You could be saving a life and it might be yours.

Get a free ride from Operation Red Nose

Operation Red Nose logo

Operation Red Nose is a nation-wide volunteer driving service and awareness campaign, dedicated to preventing drinking and driving.

Three person teams can be called to drive you and your vehicle home safely between the hours of 9:00 pm and 3:00 am, with donations being redistributed to local youth organizations.

Avoid making a mistake that could harm yourself and others, and instead give to those in need. Talk about getting into the holiday spirit!

Local phone numbers for Operation Red Nose can be found on their website at: https://operationrednose.com


When doing your shopping

At a store

Online shopping

Is it a reputable retailer? Only shop at reputable e-commerce sites. Look for the lock symbol and "https" at the beginning of the URL. This shows the site uses a secured encryption to protect your data.

Meet in public places. When purchasing items from individuals online, don’t complete transactions in their home or yours. Instead, arrange to meet in a public place like a mall or coffee shop.

Have you checked the blacklist? Before buying a smartphone, check the status of your device in Canada to ensure it was not stolen.

Avoid charity scams

Fraudsters can take advantage of the holiday season by creating bogus fundraising operations. Ensure your donations are going to legitimate charities by logging onto the Better Business Bureau of British Columbia. The web site has information on charities and businesses in the province. 

Watch out for phishing and smishing

It is a tactic used to acquire your personal information such as passwords, user name and credit card details. The email/text will often include a link to a website that masquerades as a real site from a bank or retailer asking you to login to confirm your password or update your personal information.


Enjoying the outdoors

A winter wonderland can pose many hazards for pedestrians and vehicles alike. Consider the following safety tips this winter before leaving the house.

Winter walking

Not only is walking a great way to stay fit, there is no better time to do it than when the air is crisp, the ground is covered in snow, and you can really enjoy the beauty of the season.

Going on a road trip?

Before heading out to a back country

Plan and be prepared

Join your local snowmobile club. You will be amazed with the people and wealth of experience that the club has to offer.

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