With Christmas only six days away, Moose Jaw residents are making their final preparations for the holiday season.  

Some may be hosting Christmas; others may be travelling somewhere tropical or visiting family within the province or outside of it. Nevertheless, CAA Saskatchewan wants you to be prepared and safe while at home or away this Christmas.  

For those staying home for the holidays: 

  • Christmas Trees: If you’re setting up an artificial tree, check to see that it’s “fire resistant.” Live trees should always be kept fresh and moist. Keep all trees away from fireplaces, heaters, and other heat sources. 

  • Holiday Lights: Please inspect for broken, frayed, or loose connections and toss out damaged sets. Turn off all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into ground fault circuit interrupters. 

  • Indoor Decorations: Should not be left near lights, candles, heaters, and fireplaces. Candles should be placed in non-combustible containers. Never leave burning candles unattended. 

  • Christmas Gifts: It’s a safe idea to keep the packaging of pricey gifts out of sight to prevent window shopping by burglars. Keep watch for any suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood and report any questionable observations to the proper authorities. 

  • Family Safety: Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children. Do not leave cooking or baking unattended. Have the chimney and furnace professionally cleaned and inspected. The carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms must be properly installed and in good working condition. 

If you’re going to be away this holiday season visiting family or friends: 

  • Newspapers & Mail Delivery: Suspend delivery and arrange for someone to pick up your mail or contact the service to store it until your return. 

  • Social Media: Show discretion, never letting potential burglars know that you’re not home. 

  • Doors & Windows: All doors and windows must be properly shut and locked. For sliding doors, use specially designed bars or locks to prevent doors from being lifted out of their tracks. Consider installing security bars on basement windows, especially on windows that may be shielded from view or in the back of the house. 

  • Timers: Use for lights and the TV or radio. 

  • Water Supply: Turn it off and drain water lines and toilet tanks. 

  • Check the Water Pipes: Have someone enter your home and check on things daily to ensure the pipes have not frozen. This is a requirement of most insurance policies during the winter months. 

  • Make Your Home Look Lived In: Ask a neighbour to shovel snow around your driveway and sidewalks. Encourage neighbours or friends to use your driveway so it looks like someone is coming and going on a regular basis. Leave blinds or curtains in normal position – don’t close them completely. If you notice signs of forced entry when you return home, do not go inside. Call the police from a neighbour’s home or use your mobile device, from a safe distance. 

  • Garage Door: Close and lock the door and keep your vehicle locked, especially if it has an electric garage door opener. 

  • Home Insurance Advice: Make sure your home insurance is up to date and that it will provide coverage for your belongings. Advise your insurance broker of any changes required for major purchases or renovations.  

If a tropical destination is in your future this Christmas: 

  • Booked Flights: Check these frequently as flight cancellations and delays are likely during peak periods. Before driving to the airport, check the flight status to avoid airport waiting periods. 

  • Know Your Airline’s Cancellation Policy: Some airlines may be waiving fees and issuing changes due to possible rebooking policies. 

  • Monitor Weather Conditions: For the departure and destination cities. 

  • Travel Insurance: If you’re leaving the province or country, purchase travel medical insurance to stay safe on your vacation. 

  • Got ID: Make sure that you have proper photo identification and that your passport is up to date and is valid for the time required by the country or countries visited. Make photocopies of your passport, credit cards, etc. and leave a copy at home with family or friends and keep a photocopy with you along with the originals stored in a separate location. 

  • Medications: Pack any medications in their original containers and store in your carry-on bags. 

  • Weigh Your Packed Luggage: To avoid additional airline charges. 

  • Know Your Air Passenger Rights. CAA has long been an advocate for your rights as a traveller.  

Lastly, if you're going to be travelling on area highways over the holidays: 

  • Check Weather and Road Conditions: Before you travel, drive according to the current conditions. Be prepared to reduce your speed. Allow extra time to reach your destination safely. 

  • Get Information On Highway Conditions: Including road closures, construction zones, ferries and border crossings on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline. Download the new app. 

  • Slow to 60 km/h on Saskatchewan Highways: For emergency or first responders including tow truck operators, law enforcement, and paramedics. Slow down and move over if possible. 

  • See and Be Seen: Before sunrise, after sunset and in harsh weather, you get what is known as phantom vehicles. These are cars that are virtually invisible from behind because their rear lights aren’t on. For cars lacking an automatic option, keep your headlights on when driving. 

  • Watch For Snow Plows: The blue lights are on whenever the plow is engaged in winter activity. This can include surveying, sanding, salting, plowing, etc.  

  • Check Your Vehicle’s Battery and Block Heater: Extreme weather weakens the battery and may require charging. Make sure the block heater cord is not frayed. Always plug-in at minus 15 degrees Celsius. 

  • Pack a Roadside Safety Kit: Including extra outdoor clothing, footwear, a mobile phone with charger for emergency use only, non-perishable food, drinking water, a shovel, window ice scraper and brush, plus booster cables. If you become stranded, please stay in your vehicle as it provides temporary shelter until help arrives. 

  • Keep a Full Tank or At Minimum a Half Tank: This helps reduce moisture in the gas tank plus it adds weight to your vehicle. 

  • Winter Tires: They recommend a good set of winter tires as the rubber compound in winter tires allows for better traction and control.