Most of all, have a safe holiday season

Happy Holidays, everyone! We’ve reached the last big holiday weeks of the year, relatives are on your doorstep, and you’re already planning what to do for New Year’s Eve.

If you are hosting extended family or friends, remember just a few things to make their visit more comfortable and safe:

“Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house to make sure they work (I know, you did this back in October, but it never hurts to check again).

“Open up guest rooms before visitors arrive. Make sure the heating vents are open; if the air seems a bit stale, open the windows for an hour before opening the vents. Stock extra blankets and pillows in each room.

“If you use space heaters, strictly observe safety rules. Keep the heater out of reach of children, off the floor and several feet away from clothing, blankets or curtains. Make sure the room is well-ventilated — in fact, it’s far better to have a slight chill in a room than stuffy heat.

“Secure the gate around your fireplace so that small children can’t open it; put matches and kindling on the mantel, out of reach.

“Collect all candles or lanterns and put them away while your visitors are there. If the power goes out, bring out the lanterns; otherwise, don’t tempt children.

“Designate a smoking area before the party or visit, and place at least one ashtray there.

“Cover up unused electrical outlets.

“In cold climates, keep a bag of sand or cat litter in the garage, in case the driveway and walkways ice up.

Meantime, keep your chin up, take a deep breath, and enjoy a house packed with family and friends this season!