Holiday seasons are a time to gather with family and loved ones, celebrate traditions, and spread joy. But in the midst of the festivities, the pace can pick up, distractions happen, and sometimes unexpected emergencies arise. To help you stay safe and prepared, we’re sharing practical tips to avoid common holiday hazards and navigate a crisis should the unexpected occur, in collaboration with Verizon.
Valley of the Sun United Way is a part of Verizon’s United We Prepare – a nationwide effort made up of 14 United Ways to provide trusted educational tools and resources to strengthen community resilience before, during, and after emergencies.
“With Verizon’s support, we are preparing our community to respond to any disaster,” said Twyla Marcrum, Organizational Lead of Engagement and Excellence. “Partnerships like ours with Verizon are essential to ensure that every situation is accounted for, even unforeseen disasters during the holidays.”
As our community prepares for the festive season, here are three quick tips that ensure your time spent with loved ones go smoothly.
Safe Cooking Tips for the Holidays
Cooking is often a large focal point of many holiday gatherings. But particularly in Arizona, the dry climate and extreme heat cause concern for amplified chances of cooking fires starting. The U.S. Fire Administration ranks cooking as the nation’s leading cause of house fires resulting in injuries, at 37.2 percent of all fires. Here are a few things you can do to prevent this:
1. Keep a fire extinguisher or baking soda nearby when frying.
2. Never leave stoves or ovens unattended and use timers instead.
3. Do periodic smoke detector checks. The Phoenix Fire Department recommends doing checks monthly.
To ensure everyone in our community has access to working smoke alarm, you can donate to the Firestar Fund through Valley of the Sun United Way – a tax-deductible donation.
Plan for Holiday Travel Emergencies
Whether you’re taking a drive up north to enjoy the snow or catching a flight out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Arizona travelers should be mindful of seasonal hazards like dust storms, icy mountain roads, and even flash floods. It is important to be prepared for winter weather before it strikes.
1. Sign up for local emergency alerts.
2. Create an emergency to-go kit including essentials such as jumper cables, extra nonperishable food, flashlights, medication, warm clothes, blankets, and bottled water.
3. Make a Family Communication plan to ensure streamlined contact, if necessary.
Give Back: Support Preparedness and Create Impact This Giving Tuesday
The season of giving is also a time to invest in the resilience of our community. Donations to organizations like Valley of the Sun United Way help propel the work of initiatives like United We Prepare, providing vital tools and preparedness efforts – like our disaster response workshops for local nonprofits and the creation of First Aid Kits and Winter Hygiene Kits that go directly to the most vulnerable in our community.
To learn more about how you, or your company, can spearhead change this holiday season, visit vsuw.org/get-involved. Together, we can make this season one of safety, resilience, and lasting impact.
