As Texans prepare for holiday celebrations, state officials are ramping up efforts to keep residents safe during one of the year’s busiest travel seasons. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has released comprehensive safety guidelines covering everything from road travel to gun storage and home protection.
The holidays bring a mix of joy and heightened risks. With increased traffic, alcohol consumption, and homes filled with decorations (and sometimes left vacant during travel), the season creates unique safety challenges that require extra vigilance.
Road Safety Takes Priority
DPS officials are particularly concerned about highway safety, where holiday traffic surges combine with winter weather conditions. The department has urged drivers to avoid alcohol entirely before getting behind the wheel and to eliminate distractions like mobile phones.
“Move Over or Slow Down” violations remain a serious issue, with an eye-popping 12,375 citations issued in 2025 alone. This law requires drivers to either change lanes or reduce speed when approaching emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or highway maintenance vehicles with activated lights.
What’s often overlooked in holiday travel planning? Vehicle maintenance. Officials recommend thorough checks of tires, windshield wipers, and fluid levels before embarking on long trips. The Texas Roadside Assistance line at 1-800-525-5555 stands ready for stranded motorists.
Firearms Safety During Family Gatherings
With families gathering in homes where children may be present, proper gun storage becomes critical. Texas DPS has released guidelines emphasizing secure storage in gun safes, lockboxes, or with trigger locks.
“Safe storage saves lives,” notes the department, highlighting the importance of keeping ammunition separate from firearms and ensuring that access codes or keys remain out of children’s reach.
These precautions extend to travelers. Gun owners staying in hotels or with relatives are reminded to maintain secure storage practices away from home – a detail that’s easy to overlook in the hustle of holiday preparations.
Home Fire Prevention and Security
The festive decorations that define the season can create serious fire hazards. Brazos County Emergency Management has outlined crucial steps for preventing home disasters, starting with functioning smoke alarms installed near all sleeping areas.
Candles – a holiday staple – should be kept at least 12 inches from anything flammable, though officials suggest flameless alternatives as the safest option. Christmas trees require daily watering and should be positioned at least three feet from heat sources, including heating vents.
Thinking of leaving town? Home security becomes particularly important during holiday travel. Experts recommend using secondary locks on doors and windows, avoiding obvious hiding spots for spare keys, and arranging for someone to check on your property regularly.
Smart homeowners are also keeping gift displays away from windows and using safe deposit boxes for valuables – simple steps that can prevent becoming targets for opportunistic thieves.
Weather Awareness
Texas weather can change rapidly, even during holiday celebrations. DPS officials recommend monitoring conditions through the Drive Texas website before traveling and adjusting plans accordingly when severe weather threatens.
The combination of holiday traffic and winter weather conditions creates a particularly dangerous environment on Texas highways. Defensive driving becomes not just prudent but potentially lifesaving.
As celebrations ramp up across the Lone Star State, these safety measures may seem like an unwelcome addition to already-lengthy holiday to-do lists. But they represent what officials call “simple steps” that could prevent the season of joy from becoming one of tragedy.
