It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but decorating, traveling, and spending money safely are important concerns. As you celebrate with friends and family, remember the following tips to ensure your holidays are merry and bright. 

Decorate Safely

Lights, candles, trees, crackling logs in the fireplace, and fresh garland are hallmarks of the season, but they also increase the risk of house fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the top three days for candle-related fires are Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. To decrease your chances of a house fire, follow these best practices:

  • Turn off holiday lights before going to sleep or leaving the house.
  • Inspect string lights annually, checking for frayed, worn, or broken cords. 
  • Check to ensure any artificial trees are fire-resistant (and don't use electric lights on metallic trees). 
  • If you have a live tree, keep it watered and sweep for fallen needles daily. 
  • If you're planning to light a fire, schedule a chimney inspection first, and be sure the damper or flue is open. 
  • Use battery-operated candles for some safe, fire-free ambiance.
  • Make sure everyone in the home knows where the fire extinguishers are. 
  • As always, check to ensure fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working correctly.

Travel Smart

As a record number of travelers set out by plane, train, and car this month, make sure your plans keep you safe! According to the National Safety Council, traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation. 

  • Make sure your car's emergency preparedness kit is stocked. 
  • Out of sight, out of mind – put your cell phone where you can't see or reach it. 
  • Fifty-two percent of accidents occur within five miles of a driver's house. Buckle up, and ensure every passenger is buckled and young children are securely in appropriate car seats no matter how long or short the drive is.
  • Review these winter driving tips from AAA, especially if you're traveling in a snowy area. 
  • If flying, review the FAA's holiday travel resources, including how to pack safely and fly healthy.

Shop Wisely

Who doesn't love online shopping – especially when buying holiday gifts? Keep your information safe and prevent identity theft, malware, and compromised credit cards by practicing a few simple precautions. 

(On a related note, are you the family member or friend everyone turns to for help making online purchases and remembering their passwords? You should be earning CSU Global's Fraud and Financial Crimes specialization!) 

  • Only use one credit card for online payments. Debit cards do not have the same consumer protections as credit cards. The Bank of Washington recommends that consumers use a credit card with a lower balance to limit the potential for financial fraud.
  • Ensure the URL includes HTTPS – the 's' stands for secure and verifies that the website is encrypted. 
  • Don't autosave your personal information in your browser or on specific websites. While it may be convenient at the time, it opens you up to higher risk. 
  • Only shop via private computers or wifi. 
  • Keep your passwords safe and never share them with anyone outside trusted family members. 

CSU Global wishes everyone a safe, relaxing, and memorable holiday season! (And CSU Global students, remember, you have a break from courses Dec. 19-25, 2022!)

Essential life skills aren’t typically taught in the classroom, but that doesn’t mean they’re not as critical as coursework. In our “Life Prerequisites” series (inspired by the Student Advisory Committee), we explore a range of topics, from understanding debt, minor home repairs, how to read a pay stub, managing a bank account, and more. If you have an idea for a future topic, please liabensley [at] csuglobal.edu (email)style="text-decoration:none" us!