There are just ten days left until Christmas day and season appropriate lights and decorations are visible on many houses in Weyburn.

CAA have released safety tips for the holiday season.

"Various tips from CAA depending on whether you are staying at home for the holidays, you're doing some road trips to visit family or friends or you've decided to jet away on some wonderful winter vacation," said Christine Niemczyk, Director of Communications, CAA Saskatchewan

Home for the holiday safety tips:

If you're home for the holidays ensure artificial Christmas trees are “fire resistant” and that live trees are always fresh and moist. Set up live and artificial trees away from fireplaces, heaters, and other heat sources.

Inspect holiday lights yearly for broken, frayed or loose connections and throw out damaged sets.

Turn off all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into ground fault circuit interrupters.

Keep decorations away from lights, candles, heaters, fireplaces, etc. Place candles in non-combustible containers and never leave burning candles unattended.

As you buy your gifts, it is a good idea to keep packaging of high priced items out of sight. Don’t give burglars a shopping list of what they might find in your home.

Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children.

Do not leave any cooking or baking unattended.

Have the chimney and furnace professionally cleaned and inspected.

Ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working.

Hide your valuables when you are out. Keep watch for any suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood and report any questionable observations to the proper authorities.


Away from the home for the holiday safety tips:

Suspend newspaper delivery and arrange for someone to pick up your mail or contact your mail service to hold your mail until your return.

Show discretion on social media, never letting folks know your away from home whereabouts.

Ensure all doors and windows are locked.

Use timers to turn lights, and possibly the TV or radio, on/off during the day/night.

Turn off your water supply or have someone enter the home and check on things daily to ensure the pipes are not frozen. (This is a requirement of most insurance policies during the winter months).

Ask a neighbour to shovel snow around your driveway and sidewalks.

Encourage neighbours to use your driveway so it looks like someone is coming and going on a regular basis.

Leave blinds or curtains in normal position – don’t close them completely.

Close and lock the garage door.

Keep your vehicle locked, especially if it has an electric garage door opener.

Make sure your home insurance is up to date and that it will provide coverage for your belongings.

Advise your insurance broker of any changes required for major purchases or renovations.

Going away for the holidays on a plane safety tips:

Check your booked flights frequently.

Flight cancellations and delays are likely during peak periods.

Also check your flight status prior to driving to the airport.

Know your airline’s cancellation policy.

Some airlines may be waiving fees and issuing changes due to possible rebooking policies.

Monitor weather conditions – both for the departure and destination cities.

Don’t forget your travel insurance.

Make sure your passport is up to date and is valid for time required by the country or countries visited.

Pack any medications in their original containers and store in your carry-on bags.

Make photocopies of your passport, credit cards, etc. and leave a copy at home with family or friends, and keep a photocopy with you along with the originals stored in a separate location.

Keep your passport secured in a safe place.

Weigh your packed luggage to avoid additional airline charges.

CAA Members and customers who have booked with CAA are encouraged to check with their local CAA Travel Consultant for further assistance.