If you have elderly loved ones, you are probably concerned with their wellbeing throughout the year. But cooler weather and the holiday season may present extra challenges. There are, however, things that you can do to keep senior citizens safe at home during these times.

Winter Safety Tips for Keeping Senior Citizens Safe

Winters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are not harsh, but occasionally temperatures may drop to near freezing or there may be freezing rain. There are things you can do to ensure that seniors stay safe at home under these conditions:

• Make sure they wear non-skid footwear to prevent falls.
• Make sure they do not use space heaters, as they can be a fire hazard.
• Have their heating system serviced annually and kept in good working condition.
• Replace batteries in all smoke detectors and test them to ensure that they are in working condition.
• Have them buy appropriate clothing for cooler weather and dress in layers.
• If they still drive, make sure their vehicle has all-season tires and their windshield wipers are in good shape.
• If bad weather is predicted, offer to drive them to the store or to doctors appointments.
• Check on your loved ones periodically during inclement weather.

Keeping Senior Citizens Safe during the Holidays

Many seniors enjoy keeping holiday traditions, including decorating their homes with trees and lights. Some decorations can, however, be dangerous, so here are some good ideas:

• Opt for a fire-resistant artificial tree instead of a live one that can dry out and potentially catch on fire.
• Only use holiday lights that are UL rated and make sure that lights that are used outdoors are rated for outdoor use.
• Inspect strings of lights for damage such as broken bulbs/sockets, loose connections, or damage to the string/wire.
• Avoid using extension cords if possible. If they must be used, keep them out of areas where someone could trip over them and safely secure them with tape.
• Replace real candles with battery-powered ones to prevent the risk of fire.

It is easy to get caught up in our own lives, especially during the busy holiday season. Taking the time to follow these winter safety and holiday tips for the seniors in your life is a small price to prevent a tragedy.