The holiday season brings plenty of excitement, from hosting gatherings to decorating your home with cheerful lights and decorations. The festivities also introduce various safety hazards, ranging from fire risks to home security concerns. Let’s explore some essential holiday safety tips for homeowners for a safe and enjoyable season.
Fire Safety
During the holidays, homes are often filled with decorations, lights, and candles, which pose a fire risk if not handled carefully.
Decorative Lights and Electrical Safety
Before setting up holiday lights, inspect them for damaged cords, frayed wires, or broken bulbs. Faulty lights can lead to electrical fires, so it’s important to replace damaged strands. When decorating outdoors, only use lights designed for outdoor use, and make sure your electrical outlets aren’t overloaded. Use LED lights since they run cooler and are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Always turn off lights when leaving the house or going to bed. If you have a lot of decorations, use timers or smart plugs to automatically turn them off at a set time.
Candle Safety
Candles add a warm and cozy ambiance, but they also come with fire hazards. Keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains, holiday decorations, or wrapping paper. Always place candles on a stable surface where they can’t be easily knocked over. Never leave them burning unattended, and extinguish them before going to sleep or leaving the house. If you’re looking for a safer option, try flameless candles, which give the same soft glow without the risk of a fire.
Fireplace Safety
If you have a fireplace, it’s crucial to have it inspected and cleaned before use to confirm there are no blockages or buildup of creosote, which can cause chimney fires. Always use a screen to prevent embers from escaping, and avoid burning items like wrapping paper, which can ignite quickly and cause flare-ups. Keep flammable materials away from the fireplace, and never leave it unattended when a fire is burning.
Holiday Safety: Home Security
With the busy holiday season, it’s important not to overlook home security. Many homes are left unattended during travel, making them more vulnerable to break-ins.
Secure Doors and Windows
One of the easiest security measures is verifying that all doors and windows are locked before leaving your home or going to bed. With all the coming and going, it’s easy for homeowners to forget about keeping entry points secured. If you have sliding glass doors, adding a rod in the track will help prevent them from being forced open.
Handling Packages and Deliveries
With more people shopping online, there’s often an increase in package deliveries around the holidays. Unfortunately, porch piracy has become a growing issue. If possible, have packages delivered to a secure location, such as a lockbox or to a trusted neighbor if you won’t be home. If you expect a large number of deliveries, installing a doorbell camera or video surveillance will help monitor and deter potential thieves.
Outdoor Decoration Safety
If you’re decorating your yard or the exterior of your home, it’s important to prioritize safety to avoid accidents.
Ladder Safety
When hanging lights or outdoor decorations, always use a stable ladder and avoid reaching too far to prevent falls. Make sure someone is around to spot you or assist in handing up items. Only use extension cords rated for outdoor use, and keep them away from walkways to prevent tripping hazards. If the weather is icy or slippery, it’s best to postpone outdoor decorating until conditions improve.
Inflatable Decorations
Inflatable decorations are a fun addition to many yards, but they should be anchored securely to avoid blowing away or blocking drivers’ visibility if placed near a street. Check the forecast for high winds, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on setting up and anchoring inflatables.
The holiday season is a time to enjoy with family and friends, but it’s important not to overlook safety. By being mindful of fire hazards, practicing safe cooking habits, securing your home, and taking precautions for children and pets, you’ll reduce the risk of accidents and enjoy a safe and joyful festive season. Staying home or traveling, following these safety tips will help your holiday season be filled with peace of mind and cheer.
Holiday Safety FAQs
How can I protect my home from carbon monoxide during the holidays?
During the holiday season, many homes use fireplaces, gas stoves, and heaters more frequently. To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure your home has working carbon monoxide detectors, especially near bedrooms. Avoid running vehicles in an attached garage, and if using a generator during a power outage, make sure it’s placed outdoors, far from windows and doors.
What should I know about using extension cords for holiday decorations?
When using extension cords for holiday decorations, always choose cords that are rated for outdoor use if they’ll be exposed to the elements. Never daisy-chain multiple cords together, as this increases the risk of an electrical overload. If you’re running cords along walkways or driveways, secure them to avoid creating a tripping hazard and prevent damage from vehicles.
How can I safely store holiday decorations after the season ends?
When the holidays are over, storing decorations properly is key to preventing damage and future hazards. Use storage bins to organize items, and keep electrical decorations in dry, cool areas to avoid exposure to moisture. For string lights, wrap them around a piece of cardboard to prevent tangling and damage to the wires, and always unplug decorations before packing them away.
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