Do you have guests coming to visit over the holidays? Follow these tips to help them feel welcome and keep them safe.
Indoor/Outdoor Lighting. When making the interior or exterior of your home welcoming during the holidays, use caution when adding lights. Don’t overload electrical outlets and never use lighting with frayed cords or broken bulbs. When hanging exterior lights, do not use staples or nails, which can damage the protective coating on the cords.
Consider using modern LED bulbs, they generate less heat than incandescent bulbs and are therefore considered safer. Also, make sure outdoor lights are made for outdoor use.
Candles. Candles add warmth to your home and an inviting glow, but they are a leading cause of fires during the holidays. Never leave a burning candle unattended and be sure to keep candles away from flammable materials, such as curtains, furniture, and holiday decorations.
Try using flameless candles instead. They are the safest option, not only for the holidays but all year round. Electric or battery-operated flameless candles are widely available in a variety of styles.
Decorations. According to the National Fire Protection Association, two of every five decoration fires happen because the decorations are placed too close to a heat source, such as a burning light bulb, stovetop, or fireplace. Also, decorations placed in busy areas or walkways in the home can cause accidents due to breakage or tripping.
Make sure to keep decorations in confined spaces, away from a heat source and out of the walkways in your home to prevent accidents.
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Safety with cooking equipment | NFPA Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
Holiday Home Safety – Tower Hill Insurance Although it’s easy to be distracted when finishing holiday preparations for family and guests, always keep safety in mind. Stay alert for some of these common dangers.