Santa’s Health and Safety Tips for Winter!

I bet that title caught your eye! I wonder if Santa has any strict ‘elf and safety, sorry I mean, health and safety regulations that he has to abide by?

There must be a few surely. I mean driving at night, all night, on Christmas Eve, must be pretty exhausting and I’m not sure an over-tired Santa in charge of a sleigh full of presents being driven by reindeers would put a smile on any health and safety conscious persons face?!

That being said though, us ‘non-magical’ folk should probably take a few pre-cautions in the cold winter months. I mean we could go all out and take a NEBOSH Training Course or you could perhaps use some of my tips listed below.

Dress for the Weather

This one is especially important for children. Although it feels as though summer was only here a few moments ago, it most certainly has gone, and the cruel, cold hand of winter is now upon us.

Layering is a good way to ensure children and adults keep warm. A base layer such as a t-shirt, vest or long sleeved top is always good, followed by a warm jumper as your middle layer and then a fleece lined coat as your final layer. Don’t just stop there though. Hats, gloves and scarves are all essential items that should be worn in winter, in addition a good pair of warm and thick socks with some sturdy waterproof shoes, wellies or boots depending on the weather.

Travelling

When travelling it’s really important to keep a well stocked car. The last thing you’ll want is to find yourself broken down on the side of a busy motorway or alternatively broken down in the middle of nowhere. Some basic supplies can help ensure a safe trip:

• Fully charged torch with spare batteries – You can even get ones with a USB port so you can charge your phone too, just make sure you bring your charging cable with you!
• Blankets – I always have more than one blanket in my car. What if one was accidentally dropped on the floor and got wet? Always good to have a spare! Make sure they’re warm and cosy!
• Foil – Foil is a great to keep in heat and you can buy special foil jackets online pretty cheap nowdays
• Food – Obviously no-one should keep food in their car for long periods of time, but if you’re planning a long journey think about packing some essentials such as protein bars or drinks, energy drinks, fruit (although make sure it’s stored properly), crisps etc
• Roadside signs – Reflective road signs such as warning triangles are an important part of any car safety box. Not only do they warn other drivers and road users of your presence, but it can also help keep you safe
• First aid kit – Goes without saying really

Do you have any tips you’d add to this list?

For more tips search for #winterisdangerous