The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) encourages holiday safety tips to help residents and visitors celebrate. The information below can help keep you, your family, and your community safe.

While celebrating this holiday season, remember COVID-19 is still in our community.

It is important to avoid the following:

• Visiting the homes of others or hosting gatherings with those not in your immediate household, unless you can wear a mask or cloth face covering and socially distance.
• Large gatherings; per the State Surgeon General’s Public Health Advisory avoid gatherings of 10 or larger.
• Sharing food, cups, forks, spoons, knives, and serving utensils.
• Crowded indoor events.
• Attending crowded parades, runs, or other events.

Ways to celebrate at home include:

• Have a small celebratory dinner with only the people who live in your household.
• Have a virtual dinner and share recipes with friends and family.
• Shop online rather than in person.
• Watch sports events, parades, and movies from home.

When decorating for the holiday season it is important to make safety a priority.

Candle Safety- Help avoid fires in your house by keeping all candles away from children, pets, trees, and curtains. Candles should be at least 12 inches away from anything that burns.

Fire Safety- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends testing your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home once a month and replace the batteries twice a year.

Tree Safety- If you have a real tree in your house this season, keep it watered. A tree that is not well watered is very dangerous and can turn into a fire hazard. It is best to water the tree every day and dispose of the tree after the holidays or when it is dry.

Decoration Safety- Use step stools or ladders while putting up decorations. Never stand on furniture this can result in an injury.

Shoe Safety- When putting up holiday lights and other decorations make sure to wear protective and sturdy shoes inside or outside of the house. No flip flops!

Oven Safety- Always use an oven mitt while taking food out or putting food into the oven.

Kitchen Safety- While in the kitchen make sure to remove any scarves, long necklaces, or flowy clothing. These items can be a hazard while cooking and baking.

Food Safety- Before and after handling raw meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Cook all foods to the proper temperature by using a food thermometer. If you do not have one, purchase one! Baking holiday sweets might come with the temptation of eating the dough or batter, but that is not safe. Make sure to refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, chill food within 1 hour.

Brighten your holiday season by making health and safety a priority with these holiday safety tips!