Make Safety A Priority During Christmas And New Year's

MONTGOMERY - This is a season of celebrations with family and friends. Make the most of it by making safety a priority, particularly during the extended holiday weekends of Christmas and New Year's.

During the holiday travel period, which begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, and ends at midnight Wednesday, Jan. 2, Alabama's Integrated State Law Enforcement Task Force encourages everyone to take special care while celebrating at home, traveling the state's roadways or enjoying time outdoors.

Officers from state-level law enforcement agencies will work together to create a highly visible enforcement presence intended to prevent crimes and violations on Alabama roadways and waterways that lead to deaths and injuries. The public should expect officers -- even in unmarked vehicles -- to make enforcement stops.

Alabama's Integrated State Law Enforcement Task Force reminds the public to:

Avoid driving or boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Restrict access and closely monitor teens to prevent under-age use of alcoholic beverages.
Pay attention to speed limits and driving conditions on the road, and obey boating laws on the water.
Use seat belts and child restraints in motor vehicles -- no matter how short your drive is.
Use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when in boats, particularly if you will be alone. Not only will this keep you afloat, but it also will offer protection against hypothermia.
Boaters or hunters who plan to use a boat should leave a float plan that includes a description of your boat, where you plan to launch from, where you plan to go and what time to expect you back.
Pedestrians should be extremely cautious when walking, jogging or running near roadways, especially when it is dark. Increase visibility at night by carrying a flashlight when walking and by wearing reflective clothing to help highlight body movements. Always stop and look left, right and left again before crossing a roadway.
It also is important to follow entertaining/decorating safety guidelines to prevent the risk for fire:
Be careful with decorations by choosing flame-resistant or flame-retardant materials; and keep lit candles away from decorations or anything that can burn.
Replace any string of lights with broken or frayed cords or loose bulb connections and, again, read manufacturer's instructions for numbers of strands which may be connected. Use clips -- not nails or staples -- to hang lights so the cords remain undamaged.
Test your smoke alarms and inform guests of your home fire escape plan.
Keep children and pets away from lit candles, and keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
Before heading out or to bed, blow or snuff out all lit candles and turn off all light strings and decorations. Always keep Christmas trees or other decorations at least three feet away from such heat sources as candles, fireplaces or heaters.