Thanksgiving safety tips Published Nov. 25, 2015 482nd Safety Office HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Thanksgiving marks the beginning of our traditional holiday season, and many of you will take the opportunity to celebrate and visit friends. Make safety a part of your plans as you celebrate the holiday. Alcohol may be a part of your Thanksgiving plans and historically it is involved in many holiday mishaps. If you're planning to use alcohol, be sure to use a designated driver and give him or her the keys to the vehicle before you or your friends start to drive. If you do not have a designated driver, call a taxi and do whatever it takes to keep your friends healthy and alive. For those driving during this holiday, remember the safety rules: ensure your vehicle is in good mechanical repair, be sure that you and all your passengers use your safety belts, drive while adequately rested and at prudent speed, be ready for the unexpected from the other driver, and never drive after drinking. If going on a long trip, take breaks and change drivers every two or three hours. Do not let the excitement of the holidays affect your good judgment and lead you to bend or break the rules. It's not worth the consequences of losing health, career or loved ones. Thanksgiving also heralds the arrival of cold weather in some parts of the country which requires some attention to your arrangements if you are visiting friends and family out of state. if you use any type of space heater or gas-fired heater, be sure to constantly guard against the potential for causing a fire in the home. Keep them away from curtains and be sure to use them in well-ventilated areas. We can each be thankful for our health and safety as we approach this holiday. Making the right decisions as we celebrate Thanksgiving will enable us to continue to be healthy and safe. the wing safety staff wishes each of you a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving.