Winter And Fire Safety Tips For A Warm And Safe Holiday Season

As temperatures drop, The Neighbors of Dunn County is sharing essential winter safety tips for seniors to help our residents, families, and community members enjoy a warm and worry-free holiday season.

For over a century, our legacy has been one of “Generations of Caring since 1892.” Today, our resident-centered neighborhood of homes continues that tradition with compassion, warmth, and a steadfast commitment to safety, especially as Wisconsin winter settles in.

Winter brings beautiful snowfalls and festive gatherings, but also chilly temperatures, icy sidewalks, and extra safety considerations. That’s why we at The Neighbors of Dunn County take this time every year to remind residents, families, and visitors about important cold weather and fire safety practices that keep everyone safe and comfortable on our campus.

Winter Safety Tips For Seniors

Our residents’ safety is always our top priority. While it’s natural to want a little extra warmth during Wisconsin winters, certain heating items can pose a serious fire risk. Portable heaters and heated blankets are not permitted anywhere in the facility. These appliances can overheat and create hazards that are especially dangerous in community living settings.

If you or your loved one would like a room to feel warmer, we’re happy to help. Simply ask any of our staff members to submit a work order, and our maintenance team will promptly adjust the thermostat to ensure a cozy, comfortable environment.

We’ve also received questions about humidifiers and diffusers during the dry winter months. For safety reasons, diffusers or humidifiers with heating elements are not allowed in resident rooms. However, diffusers that use liquids or reeds, and do not generate heat, are perfectly acceptable alternatives. These small changes help keep everyone safe while maintaining a warm, home-like atmosphere.

Fire Safety And Kitchen Use

At The Neighbors, mealtime and cooking are essential parts of creating that “home away from home” feeling. However, not every kitchen appliance is safe for personal household use. Crockpots, extension cords, and power strips may not be used inside resident households due to fire safety risks.

If you’d like to use a crockpot for family gatherings or staff events, we welcome that, but please plan ahead! Crockpots are permitted only in designated safe-use areas, such as:

Central Building: Training Room, Conference Room, Community Room, Chapel, Red Cedar Bistro, and Beauty Shop

East & West Buildings: Community Room, Chapel, and Beauty Shop

To reserve one of these spaces, contact our Life Enhancement staff. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so early reservations are encouraged, especially during the busy holiday season.

And when visiting, please remember not to park over sidewalks in front of the households. This simple act helps our facilities team efficiently remove snow and keep walking paths safe and clear for residents and guests.

Deck The Doors — Safely!

Few things bring more holiday cheer than festive decorations, twinkling lights, and the creative touches that make each resident’s room feel personal and joyful. While we love to see rooms sparkle with holiday spirit, fire safety codes require that no more than 30% of any room door be covered with decorations.

Please also remember that live wreaths, trees, or greenery are not permitted within our facility, as they present fire risks. Artificial trees and wreaths are a wonderful, safe alternative that can be reused year after year.

These guidelines ensure that every household remains both festive and secure, allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of the holidays without worry.

Staying Healthy Through The Season

As temperatures drop, so does our immune system’s resilience against seasonal illnesses. Winter is peak cold and flu season, so maintaining healthy habits is an essential part of our care approach.

If you or a family member feels unwell, even with minor symptoms, we kindly ask that you avoid visiting until you’re feeling better or wear a mask during your visit. This small act of consideration makes a big difference in protecting our residents and staff.

And when it comes to germs, hand hygiene is the simplest and most effective defense. Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds ensures thorough cleaning. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. Together, these steps help keep our entire community healthy through the season and beyond.

Outdoor Winter Safety Tips

Even with a milder-than-usual Wisconsin winter predicted by the Old Farmer’s Almanac, with above-average temperatures and fewer snowstorms than normal, it’s still important to take precautions against cold exposure.

Before going outside, remember these simple safety tips from the National Weather Service:

• Dress in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing to retain warmth while allowing movement.
• Always wear a hat or hood to protect against heat loss from the head.
• Try to stay dry and avoid windy conditions whenever possible.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf or mask to protect your lungs from cold air.
• Use mittens instead of gloves, snug at the wrist, to preserve warmth.

These basic precautions help prevent frostbite and hypothermia, and make outdoor activities, like attending seasonal events or walks around our scenic Menomonie campus, enjoyable and safe.

Safety Around Campus

You may notice new speed limit signs installed throughout The Neighbors of Dunn County campus. These updates are part of our ongoing effort to enhance safety for everyone — including residents, staff, visitors, and community members who enjoy walking or driving through our beautiful neighborhood roads and sidewalks.

We kindly remind everyone to slow down and drive carefully, especially when roads are slick. Your attentiveness helps keep our campus a safe, welcoming place all year round.

A Community Rooted In Care

Since relocating to our newly designed neighborhood campus in 2013, The Neighbors of Dunn County has proudly offered a non-institutional, resident-directed environment for seniors in Menomonie, WI. Whether through skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory care, or hospice services, our team remains committed to providing compassionate, individualized care for every resident.

Our participation in Medicare, Medicaid, VA, Wisconsin Family Care, and Hospice programs ensures that families have access to a broad range of care solutions right here at home. Each home within our neighborhood is designed to feel warm, safe, and deeply personal, a place where residents can truly thrive.

This holiday season, we extend heartfelt gratitude to our residents, their families, and our dedicated staff for another wonderful year. Your trust, partnership, and compassion make The Neighbors of Dunn County a true community — one built on caring connections and mutual respect.

May your days be filled with peace, warmth, and safety this winter and into the new year ahead.

Contact Information For Building Leads

West Building: Chuck Ausman — causman@dunncountywi.gov | (715) 231-4609

East Building: Quinton Kase — qkase@dunncountywi.gov | (715) 231-4630

Central Building: Sam Behling — sbehling@dunncountywi.gov | (715) 231-4579

Any Building: Alyssa Stelter — astelter@dunncountywi.gov | (715) 231-4589

For room reservations or event scheduling, please reach out to our Life Enhancement staff as early as possible for best availability.

Happy Holidays From The Neighbors of Dunn County

We hope these winter safety tips for seniors help families across Menomonie and Dunn County keep their loved ones warm, safe, and joyful all season long.

As the new year approaches, our hearts are full of gratitude. Thank you for being part of our caring community, where every day, we continue a tradition more than a century strong. May your holidays be merry, your new year bright, and your winter season safe, healthy, and full of joy.