Tiny red reindeer pull a red SORS ambulance across a wintry blue-green sky dotted with stars a windy snow drifts. They’re flying over a community of houses, trees and a menorah. Dark green text reads, Seasons Greetings from your all-volunteer rescue squad. This illustration was designed by SORS member Marie Rossettie.

How to have a safer holiday season

By SORS Board Member Marie Rossettie & Volunteer Margot Lester

With the winter holidays underway, we’ve got a few reminders to help you get through them safer and healthier.

Take care of your emotional health

While we wish you the happiest of holidays, we know this time of year doesn’t bring comfort and joy for everyone.

If you’re stressed out by everything going on, if your emotions are on edge, take a break. It doesn’t have to be a long one. A few deep breaths, a walk, a nice stretch. Then drink some water. It sounds too simple, but even these small resets can stop or ease the spiral.

Sometimes the holidays amplify sadness, loneliness and regret. While it might feel awkward, connecting with others can help. After all, they may not realize that you’re struggling and want to help. The Orange County Senior Centers and faith communities are also good options for fellowship and support. You may even get a boost from sitting outside, taking a walk or visiting a local public garden like the Coker Arboretum, a coffee place, bookstore or art museum like the Ackland. If you notice you’re feeling hopeless, call 9-1-1 or the 9-8-8, National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

If a friend or family member is struggling, check on them. Call or text, send a card. Or engage more directly by dropping off some snacks, giving an extra hug or offering to hang out. These actions are acknowledgments that you see the person’s emotions and are supportive. And they’re a tangible reminder that they’re not alone.

Get more winter safety tips!

This photo by SORS Member Soorya Vasan shows the front of SORS’ station in downtown Carrboro lit up for the season with fairy lights. The second-story windows are lit, as are both ambulance bays. The door to the right-side bay is open to reveal one of our ambulances with its lights all aglow.

SORS is always prepared to serve — and to decorate our Roberson Street station between calls. Photo by SORS Member Soorya Vasan

Be careful with fire and firearms

Besides Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the most common days for house fires. Use this checklist to ensure the only fires you have this month are intentional:

  • Place candles at least one foot from things that can burn and away from pets and kids
  • Use a fireplace screen to prevent coals or embers from escaping and a hearth rug to protect floors and floor coverings.
  • Have a working fire extinguisher on every floor of your home and near outdoor kitchens, grills and deep fryers; verify that they’re properly charged and replace if not.
  • Test your smoke detectors and replace the batteries if needed.
  • Keep anything that can catch on fire away from the stovetop or fireplace/fire pit.
  • Establish a 3- to 5-foot “no kids or pets” zone around cooking surfaces and fires.
  • Test holiday lights and replace any with shorts or exposed wires.
  • Water your Christmas tree and don’t discard it in your garage or up against your house.
  • Look over your fireplace and chimney for cracks and buildup – if you haven’t used them in a while, get them properly cleaned and inspected.

Research shows that unintentional gunshot wounds are more likely during the holidays. When you have folks over or visit others, verify that firearms are unloaded, locked and stored separately from ammunition. And as tempting as it is to shoot off your guns in revelry on New Year’s Eve, please don’t. Celebratory shooting is not only illegal in Orange County, it’s dangerous.

Remember, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 in case of fire or injury!

This is a photo by SORS volunteer Margot Lester of a happy young man in his mid-20s (with dark hair, wearing khakis and a brown sweatshirt) sitting between two rust-colored older Viszla dogs in their comfy beds.

Not every family pet will be as chill with new people as Judy and Taco were with James, who visited for the holidays. Photo by SORS Volunteer Margot Lester

Don’t forget about pets

Our pets are part of the family, so it’s important to include their safety in your plans. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests you:

  • Remind guests in advance that you have pets (including exotic ones) so folks with allergies or compromised immune systems can prepare and protect themselves. The same goes for visitors who may be afraid of animals.
  • Be careful when introducing new people and pets to your furry friends. Even pets that are usually good with kids, adults and other pets can feel scared or threatened and react. If someone wants to bring their pet and you don’t feel 100% sure about it, gently but clearly decline the request or arrange a time before the big event to get them together and see how that goes.
  • Don’t leave kids and pets unattended — even if they’ve played well together before. Energy is high during the holidays, and we all react differently to the crush.
  • Designate a place where your pets can escape the festivities and where guests are not allowed. Make sure it’s big enough for them to move freely, and don’t forget to include their favorite toy and blanket! You may also want to talk to your vet about a light sedative if your pet is especially sensitive. Remember, if it’s too cold for you outside, it’s too cold for your pets, too.

We’re here for you

Four young EMTs sit on a stretcher against a plain white wall. They wear dark pants and light blue shirts. Nitrile gloves are visible, as is their comms gear. Their hands are shaping the letters S, O, R, S. Photo by SORS Member Soorya Vasan

All of us at SORS — including (left to right) alums Sai Sukhavasi, Rithika Uppalapati and Michelle Mao; and current member Aryaman Bana — send you best wishes for a terrific holiday season. Photo by SORS Member Soorya Vasan

We’re on the job over the holidays with EMS crews on call overnight — every night — and our Technical Rescue Team is prepared to respond, too. You can support our volunteers with a donation of any size by clicking here. ​​

It’s a privilege to serve our community. The SORS family wishes you and yours a very happy holiday season and a safe and healthy year ahead.

The South Orange Dispatch is a monthly column on Chapelboro by the South Orange Rescue Squad: an all volunteer, 501c3 non-profit providing EMS and technical rescue services in the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area of Orange County since 1971.

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