The holiday season is a time for joy and laughter. But, while everyone is focused on the merriment, it can be easy to neglect one’s safety. To ensure an enjoyable and smooth holiday for all, keep these Christmas safety tips in mind.
Best Christmas Safety Tips for a Happy Holiday Season
Thanksgiving is usually the start of the holiday season, but it is during Christmastime when the spirit of celebration truly peaks. Although it is important to focus on enjoying the moment with your family and friends, safety should be equally a priority.
Here are the most critical Christmas safety tips to follow:
1. Be Careful of Home Cooking Fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving and Christmas are when home cooking fires skyrocket. This comes as no surprise considering the amount of food preparation that happens during this time.
To prevent home cooking fires, make sure to pay careful attention to your kitchen. Never leave pots and pans unattended while they boil and fry away. The same goes for your oven. Keep flammable objects away from open fires, and remember to turn off the gas to your stove when not in use.
2. Use Your Fireplace With Caution
If you live in an area where it gets colder this time of the year, the fireplace can provide warmth. But, it is can also be a fire hazard.
To avoid house fires, make sure to have your fireplace inspected before you use it. You may also need to clean it to ensure there’s nothing clogging the pathway. A clogged fireplace can cause harmful smoke to fill your house.
You should also position your holiday decorations away from the fireplace. Set up your Christmas tree a good distance away to prevent it from catching fire. Rugs are also a bad idea, so keep those at a safe distance.
3. Don’t Leave Candles Unattended
Candles are another common cause of home fires. Many people light candles during the winter as a way to celebrate the holidays, observe traditions, or simply warm themselves up. You can just as easily start a fire, though, when you accidentally knock one of your candles down.
As part of the Christmas safety tips for fire prevention, you should never leave your candles unattended. Don’t go to sleep or leave the house without putting them out. You should also place candles in areas where no flammable objects are nearby. A small gust of wind can blow your curtain in the wrong direction and have it catch on fire.
4. Inspect Holiday Lights Before Use
Christmas lights can liven up any home, but they can also be a safety hazard. Before putting up those lights, make sure to inspect them first. Watch out for any frayed wires or broken bulbs that could start a fire. Consider replacing old lights with newer LED ones that can save energy for you at the same time.
5. Secure Decorations Properly
When it comes to holiday decorating safety tips, you should never forget this one. While not all decorations require it, larger ones typically need to be anchored. Inflatable decorations, in particular, have to be firmly planted on the ground. If you plan to decorate your roof with reindeers or a sleigh, make sure to secure them as well. In doing so, you can prevent them from falling and causing harm in the event of bad weather or an earthquake.
6. Skip the Breakable Ornaments
Glass ornaments certainly look magnificent, but they can also put you and your family in danger.
Make sure to hang or place breakable ornaments from up high so you don’t accidentally knock them over. They should also be secure. If you have rowdy kids at home, it is a good idea to skip the use of breakable ornaments entirely.
7. Check Your Outdoor Plumbing and HVAC System
For homes in colder areas, outdoor plumbing maintenance is a must. As part of your year-end checklist, don’t forget to detach hoses from spigots and turn off your outdoor water. This will prevent pipes from freezing and, subsequently, bursting.
Another one of the December safety tips you should keep in mind is to check your HVAC system. You will need your heater during this time of the year, so it is imperative to make sure it is in its best condition. As you may know, clogged filters and malfunctioning heaters can also cause house fires.
8. Be Wary of Online Shopping Scams
For convenience, a lot of people get their Christmas shopping done online. Scammers know and take advantage of this fact by setting up fake websites that lure you into giving them your credit card information. Before continuing with an online store, double-check the address to make sure it’s legitimate.
If you receive any suspicious emails offering you exclusive discounts, think twice before clicking any links. As there are many gullible consumers nowadays, this is definitely one of the most crucial holiday shopping safety tips you should remember.
9. Schedule Deliveries
Package theft is a real problem in the United States. Porch pirates steal deliveries right from your doorstep and target you when you’re not at home. To curb this threat, you should plan your deliveries to suit your schedule. Let online retailers know that you can only receive packages during certain times of the day. Alternatively, you could also have a neighbor receive the item on your behalf or choose the pick-up option instead.
10. Have Your Car Checked Before a Long Trip
Many people go on out-of-town trips during the holidays. If you plan to drive to your destination, make sure to have your car checked first. This way, you can travel peacefully, knowing your car is in good shape for a long drive.
11. Install a Home Security System
Home burglaries increase during the holiday season because more people leave their homes unoccupied around this time. To protect your home and belongings, consider investing in a security system. Home security systems alert the authorities when someone has broken into your house. While you are at it, you should also have your fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and sprinklers professionally serviced.
Celebrating the Holidays Safely
In the midst of celebration, homeowners must not forget safety above all else. If you want to have a memorable holiday while keeping everyone out of harm’s way, make sure to adopt these Christmas safety tips.
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