Holiday Safety Tips

With the holidays soon approaching, it's easy to forget about safety precautions and careful behavior. However, knowing how to stay safe is just as important now as it is during the rest of the year. Many safety and home security issues come up that you might not have considered. Follow these top safety tips for the holidays from Largo Public Safety to ensure that you are safe and prepared, and can enjoy your happy holidays free of stress and worry. 


Holiday Theft
Theft overall tends to rise in November and December. The best thing to do is to secure what you can. Lock your vehicles and homes.

Package Delivery
If you purchase gifts online and have them shipped to your home, request signature confirmation or ask a neighbor to hold it for you to avoid possible theft.

Have Working Smoke Alarms and a Home Fire Escape Plan
Smoke alarms expire after 10 years. Test your smoke alarms and check the date of manufacture to ensure they are in working order. Request a free smoke alarm installation from Largo Fire Rescue.

Keep an Eye on What You Fry
One important safety tip for cooking with oil and turkey fryers is to ensure that the turkey is completely thawed and dry before immersing it in the hot oil. Any water or ice on the turkey can cause the oil to splatter or boil over, leading to a potential fire hazard. If you do use oil when cooking, recycle your used cooking oils at Largo's 24-hour Recycling Center.

Live Trees
Have a live tree? Make sure to water daily and check lights are broken and exposed wires. Recycle your Christmas tree and cardboard boxes for free with the City from December 26 through January.

Decorations and Holiday Lights
Check for frayed wires, damaged sockets, or any signs of wear and tear. Replace any damaged lights or cords to prevent potential electrical hazards. Additionally, ensure that you are using lights rated for outdoor or indoor use, as appropriate, and follow the manufacturer's guidelines for safe installation and usage.

Social Media and Traveling
If you're traveling, wait to post until after your trip. Let a trustworthy neighbor know if you’re planning to go out of town for the holiday season so that they can keep an eye on your house.


For more ways to celebrate the holidays in Largo, visit Largo.com/HollyJolly.