The holidays – beautiful gifts, glittery trees, crazy family and plenty of opportunity for merry misadventures. Avoid mishaps with these tips from Farm Bureau Financial Services.
"Heading out for the holidays!" post invites unwanted guests.
Burglars
love to hear you’re away. And posting about your holiday travels on
social media can make your house an easy target. The FBI reports nearly
400,000 burglaries occur during November and December. Wait to share
stories and pictures until you return home.
Fido’s water bowl hasn’t been filled in three days, yet he doesn’t
seem thirsty.
Pets are known to find the tree water tastier
than their own, but the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and
the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), estimate 240 home fires involving
Christmas trees occur annually. Water your tree daily and keep it 3 feet
away from heat sources.
Flambé is added to the menu when your holiday guests arrive.
Most
home fires start in the kitchen, according to the NFPA. Never leave
cooking unattended, and keep items like towels or oven mitts away from
heating elements – nearly 60 percent of home cooking fires start on the
stove top.
Your neighbor takes a tumble delivering holiday gingerbread cookies.
Falls
are a leading cause of unintentional injuries, accounting for more than
8.5 million trips to the emergency room each year, according to the
National Safety Council. Prevent accidents on your property
by clearing walkways, repairing cracks, and sanding or salting slippery
pavement.
Holiday romance is making your pet sick.
Did you know some
holiday plants are poisonous to your pets? Keep plants – like mistletoe,
holly berries, and amaryllis – out of their reach. If you suspect your
pet has ingested a poisonous plant, call your vet or the ASPCA poison
hotline at 888.426.4435.
With planning and precaution, you can make the holidays a safe and happy for all the important people – and pets – in your life.
About Farm Bureau Financial Services
Through an exclusive,
multi-state agent force, the companies affiliated with the Farm Bureau
Financial Services brand underwrite, market and distribute a broad range
of insurance and financial services products to individuals and
businesses. Learn more about us by visiting www.fbfs.com.
Or, visit us at www.facebook.com/farmbureaufinancialservices,
www.twitter.com/fbfs
or www.youtube.com/FarmBureauFinclSvcs.
Contacts:
Nancy Doll, 515-226-6215
Nancy.Doll@FBLFinancial.com