The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and celebration. It’s a time for families and friends to come together, exchange gifts, and create lasting memories. However, amidst the festivities, it’s essential to prioritize safety, especially in your home. Here are key tips to improve holiday safety at home.
Ways to Boost Holiday Safety
1. Secure Your Home
If you plan to travel during the holidays, inform a neighbor or friend and ask them to monitor the property and collect your mail. Check the locks on doors and windows to ensure they are in good working order. Invest in a home security system and smart locks for added protection.
2. Fire Safety is an Essential Part of Holiday Safety
Fireplaces, candles, and holiday lights increase the risk of fires. To prevent accidents, use flameless candles. Opt for battery-operated LED candles to achieve a cozy ambiance without the fire hazard. If you choose real candles, never leave them unattended, and place them in stable, fire-resistant holders.
Inspect the holiday lights, checking for frayed wires and damaged sockets before hanging them. Always turn off the lights when leaving the house or going to bed, and never run extension cords beneath the rugs. The cord can overheat and lead to a house fire.
Water the holiday tree. If you have a live tree or seasonal greenery, keep it well-hydrated to reduce the risk of it becoming a fire hazard. Don’t display greenery near the fireplace or other heating sources.
3. Decorate with Care
Decorations add charm to your home during the holidays but can pose safety risks. When shopping for holiday decor, choose fire-resistant decorations. Take care to avoid overloading electrical outlets. Don’t plug too many lights into a single outlet, and secure the decorations so they aren’t within reach of small children or pets.
4. Childproofing Before the Holidays
Childproofing your home is essential if you have children or expect young guests during the holidays. Inspect the living spaces to verify dangerous items are out of reach. Secure cleaning supplies, medications, and other hazardous materials in locked cabinets. Cover the electrical outlets to prevent children from inserting objects into sockets. Install safety gates to restrict access to staircases and other dangerous areas.
5. Food Safety is Critical for Your Holiday
Holiday feasts are a highlight of the season. Keep your guests safe and healthy by avoiding foodborne illnesses. Wash your hands and utensils frequently when handling food. Thaw frozen items in the refrigerator, cook meat to the recommended internal temperature, and avoid cross-contamination. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
6. Alcohol Awareness
Alcohol is often a part of holiday celebrations, but excessive consumption can lead to accidents and injuries. If serving alcohol at your gatherings, make sure your guests have safe transportation options, like designated drivers or rideshare services.
The holidays are a time for joy and celebration, and safety should be integral to the festivities. These tips to improve safety will help keep the season joyful, memorable, and accidents-free. Whether decorating your home, hosting gatherings, or enjoying quality time with loved ones, take extra caution to make your season safe.
Cole’s Inspection Services offers home inspections to customers in Statesville, NC, and the surrounding area. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to request our services.