Notice

FEMA Releases Holiday Safety Tips

Greetings Pennsylvania Partners,

We’re in the middle of the year-end holiday season and winter is quickly approaching. Whether you’re cooking up holiday treats, decorating your home, hitting the road, or traveling by air, safety should always be a priority. The tips in this month’s

Emergency Management Matters are shared in the hopes of promoting a happy and safe winter. For additional info to share with your communities, check out our 2024 Winter Toolkit (attached). Here you’ll find links to tips, messaging, and graphics

that are ready to be posted on social media.

You’ll also find information about the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) Notice of Funding Opportunity, which is something I want to highlight for our readers that work in fire and emergency response. AFGP awards support critical needs

by providing equipment and training to emergency personnel. The AFGP Page on the FEMA website has links to tools and resources to apply for funding. Applications are being accepted until 5:00 PM EST on December 20^th, so there’s still time to apply!

Without further ado, here are some basic tips to keep our communities safe this time of year:

Food and Kitchen Safety

• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables to avoid cross-contamination.
• Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F or below, and know when to throw food out before it spoils. If your refrigerator doesn't have a built-in thermometer, keep an appliance thermometer inside it to check the temperature.
• Use potholders or oven-safe glove to handle hot dishes.
• Stand by your pan - if you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off. Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby and use it to cover a pan if it catches on fire.

Other shareable tips, with graphics, can be found at Cooking Fire Safety (fema.gov)

Holiday Decorating Safety

• Holiday decor such as live Christmas trees and topiaries need water, so check often and replenish as needed.
• Inspect strings of holiday lights before hanging them. Throw away lights that have frayed wires. Remember to turn off lights before going to bed or leaving home.
• Use lights marked for outdoor use to decorate outdoor spaces and make sure they’re rated for the weather conditions in your area.
• All outdoor decorations should be securely fastened to prevent them from falling or being knocked over by winter winds.
• Keep lit candles away from flammable objects and don’t leave them unattended, especially around children or pets.

Road Safety

• Know before you go - check weather and road conditions before you leave so you’re aware of potential delays or hazards
• Prepare your vehicle before you hit the road. Check your vehicle's battery, brakes, tires and fluid levels. Make sure windshield wipers are in good condition and your headlights are functioning properly for those gloomy winter days.
• Make an emergency kit to keep in your vehicle. Things like a blanket, a flashlight, a car-adaptable phone charger, first-aid kit and jumper cables could be very handy in an emergency.
• Drive cautiously, especially when dealing with snow or ice. Minimize distractions, obey posted speed limits, and always drive sober.

Air Travel Safety

• Keep an eye on the weather conditions at both your departure and arrival airports.
• Sign up for notifications from your airline so you’ll be aware of travel disruptions.
• Pack a portable charger for your devices in case of long delays or layovers.
• Make sure to pack any essential items in your carry-on bag (e.g., medications, important documents or snacks). Not sure if something is allowed in carry-on luggage? Search the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ‘What Can I Bring?’ list or contact TSA directly for help.

By taking the necessary precautions and staying informed, we can all navigate the season with confidence and resilience.

Wishing you a warm and safe winter ahead,

Meagan

Meagan Voss 

Public Affairs Specialist | Stakeholder Relations | External Affairs Division | Region 3

(202) 705-3991

Meagan.Voss@fema.dhs.gov 

Federal Emergency Management Agency 

fema.gov