Monday | December 2, 2024
As you create your holiday gift list this year, consider adding safety-minded gifts to show you care. From a smart doorbell to a smoke detector, a gift that keeps loved ones safe gives peace of mind and could help save lives.
Empire Electric Association and Safe Electricity offer the following tips and gift ideas to help keep everyone on your gift list safer this holiday season and throughout the year:
For adults
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- A flashlight with extra batteries for emergencies
- A roadside emergency kit
- Reflective clothing for runners or walkers
- Gloves with LED lights or hand-held “knuckle lights” designed for runners
- A smart doorbell to see who’s at the door while at home and away
- Gift certificates for home services (home maintenance, such as HVAC inspection or chimney sweeping)
- A fire extinguisher for the kitchen
- A pack of GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets and a gift certificate for a qualified electrician to install them
- A cozy blanket to replace an old electric blanket; those more than 10 years old are often unsafe
For kids
- Buy age appropriate gifts — see recommendations on box or toys; children younger than age three should not have access to toys with small parts
- Avoid marbles or other choking hazards for young children
- Don’t forget proper safety gear such as helmets and knee and elbow pads when gifting scooters, roller blades, bikes, and other riding toys
- Hover boards should be compliant with UL safety standards
- Many gaming consoles are equipped with internet browsers and chat features that allow players to communicate with each other, so be aware of these capabilities in any game or electronic device and teach your children how to be safe online
For other safety tips and information, go to SafeElectricity.org.