Important Tips

There’s a lot to celebrate in the fall and early winter, even as the days grow shorter. Ensure you and your family have happy holidays by keeping these safety tips in mind:

  • Rather than a candle, consider lighting up your jack-o’-lantern with a small, battery-operated flameless one. If you do illuminate it with a traditional candle, remember to blow it out before bed or before you leave home.

  • Only use nonflammable decorations indoors.
  • Whether you’re making holiday cookies or the Thanksgiving turkey, practice cooking safety to avoid fires at home. Stay alert in the kitchen and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen.
  • When you shop online for holiday gifts, be cautious, and shop with trusted retailers to avoid scams.

  • Water your Christmas tree regularly. Dry branches are a fire hazard. Turn off the tree’s lights overnight or when you’re not home.

  • Place your menorah on a sturdy, non-flammable surface out of reach of small children and pets. Never leave lit candles unattended.
  • Follow the latest COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for safe holiday gatherings. The CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated.

For more information on holiday safety, visit Ready.gov’s Holiday and Travel Safety Toolkit. You will find tips, graphics, promotional content, and hashtags on holiday safety and preparedness that you can share. Have a wonderful holiday season!

More important Info

Download the FEMA app for real-time information and access to disaster response resources. You can also sign up for text messages to receive information.

HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS

Life-threatening emergencies:
911

Wake County Emergency Management:
919-856-6480

Wake County Sheriff’s Office:
919-856-6900

Carolinas Poison Center:
800-222-1222

NCDOT Traveler Information Management Systems:
877-368-4968

American Red Cross:
919-231-1602

Wake County Human Services Public Health Division:
919-250-4516

Wake County Environmental Services:
919-856-7400

Wake County Public School System:
919-850-1600

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