We want everyone to be smart and stay safe over the holidays, so we’ve compiled a list of safety tips for you! Some of them are common sense, but others you may never have thought of before. Keep your home and family safe by keeping each one of these important safety tips in mind over the holidays.
Safety Tips for the Holidays
#1. Real Trees
If you have a real tree, water it daily. The tree stand should be filled with water at all times. It’s easy for a tree to become dry in a warm home, and a dry tree is a fire hazard. Don’t ever set up a tree near a fireplace, heater, radiator, or where it can easily be knocked over.
#2. Artificial Trees
If you purchase an artificial tree, make sure it has a “fire resistant” label on it.
#3. Hanging Lights
Check all lights before hanging them to make sure bulbs work and no wires are frayed or damaged. Make sure any lights you intend to hang outside are labeled and certified for outdoor use.
#4. Flip the Switch
While it’s tempting to leave holiday lights on through the night, don’t do it. Turn all lights off before you go to bed or leave the house. If there’s a short, it could start a fire. According to the Red Cross, December and January are peak months for home fires.
#5. Electrical Outlets
Don’t overload electrical outlets. It’s easy to do, especially when you have so many extra lights and decorations filling the house over the holidays.
#6. Candles
Never ever place candles on or near your tree. Consider using artificial, battery-operated candles instead of real ones, especially if you have young children or pets in the house. According to the National Fire Protection Association, over half of home candle fires occur when a combustible material is left too close to a candle.
#7. Fireplace
Keep stockings, decorations, and wrapped gifts away from the fireplace. Don’t burn wrapping paper in the fireplace, either. Wrapping paper is highly flammable and can burst into flames when lit. It’s also possible for small pieces of burning paper to float up the chimney and start a fire. Throw it in the trash or recycling bin instead.
#8. Cooking
To avoid accidents, keep children out of the kitchen when you’re preparing food. Never leave the kitchen unattended when you have food cooking, and keep flammables far away from the stove.
#9. Fire Extinguishers
Keep a fire extinguisher in the house in a convenient location. If a fire does break out and you are not confident in your ability to quickly put it out, leave the house and call 911.
#10. Alarms
Make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. A working smoke detector should be located in every bedroom. Test the batteries, and replace if necessary.
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Our latest eBook offers great tips and information on how to keep your home safe and in good shape through the fall and winter. Just click below to download!
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