Between all the present wrapping, route planning, and checking the Naughty and Nice lists, Kris Kringle also has to set aside time to go over a safety check list to avoid personal injury. When your job involves a lot of walking on snowy rooftops and night flying, it’s always a good idea to take extra precautions.
- Perform a pre-flight safety check on sleigh
- Ensure footwear has proper traction and can keep feet dry on rooftops
- Always check for a fire before descending the chimney
- No distracted flying, no texting or calls
- Avoid warm milk to stay alert
- Wear proper eye protection to avoid snow blindness
- Keep hands and feet dry and warm to avoid frostbite
- Charge GPS battery before leaving the North Pole
- Pack dog treats to distract disgruntled pets
- No drinking and flying (especially eggnog)
- Polish Rudolph’s nose for maximum illumination
- If rooftop appears icy or otherwise hazardous, seek alternate landing area
- Ensure hat fits well to avoid obstructed vision
- Stay hydrated
- Check in with Mrs. Claus and/or elves to update them on progress
- Keep both hands on the reins
- Do not leave gifts in doorways or stairwells to avoid slips, trips and falls.
- Do not allow reindeer to graze on poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, etc. as they can be poisonous to animals
- Keep all warm beverages in a tightly sealed thermos to avoid spills/burns
- In the event of a snow storm, land sleigh somewhere safe and wait until the weather clears
- Upon take –off and landing, ensure runway is clear of elves, reindeer, and anthropomorphic snowmen
Tell the kids not to fret over Santa's safety. This year, he’s well-prepared to take to the skies and deliver gifts to all the good little boys and girls around the world.