The holidays can be chaotic for many as we scramble to find perfect gifts while hosting friends and family throughout the season. With the season practically here, now is the ideal time to review a few holiday safety tips to help keep your home merry and bright.
To start, we’ll review some general housekeeping tips that should be a priority whether you are traveling or staying home this year.
Be mindful of electrical outlets.
Christmas lights and other bright holiday decorations are staple holiday decorations for the inside and outside of the home. Homeowners should be mindful of electrical outlets to avoid any unfortunate accidents. Overloaded outlets can quickly become a fire hazard, making homes a tinderbox. One of the nation’s leading causes of house fires is overloaded outlets. These statistics significantly increase the closer we come to the holiday season.
A few key warning signs of an overloaded outlet are discolored outlets, flickering or dimming lights, buzzing noises, and the outlet itself being hot to the touch. This can occur with standard two outlets and with multi outlets. For example, a power strip cannot be plugged into another power strip as it can overload your electrical system anywhere from a few seconds to minutes. Be mindful of the amount of strain on the electrical circuit, and avoid “piggybacking” excess appliances. While multiple power strips can help add more lights, not every single outlet should be used as it can short-circuit the home.
The last electrical tip is to turn off or unplug decorations before bed and whenever leaving home. Christmas lights should not be on for extended periods as they can overheat. Even LED lights can become a danger when left on for long periods.
Take care of your Christmas tree.
Artificial Christmas trees are the popular choice among consumers, with over half of Americans favoring them over a real tree. It’s easy to see why fake trees can last up to ten years or more, making them convenient for homes and businesses. Whether your family decides to use an artificial or a real tree this season, there are a few safety tips to keep in mind.
While artificial trees may be the more popular choice due to their multi-use, they can still pose a fire or electrical hazard. Keep the area clear of potential ignition sources when setting up a fake or natural tree. These include candles, space heaters, heat vents, and fireplaces. More than one of every five Christmas tree fires resulted from a tree being too close to an ignition source. Another heat source that can pose a hazard is the lights used on the tree. Older or outdated lights can overheat, causing an ignition source directly in contact with the tree. Pairing poor lights with a natural dry tree can result in the entire thing going up in flames in a matter of seconds.
Speaking of dry trees, Christmas trees should be watered daily to prevent them from completely drying out. There is no need to use sprite or a sugar mix. Fresh clean water is all your tree will need. Once your tree does dry out, do not delay removing it from the home, as the chances of it igniting can increase due to the dryness.
Review in place safety measures
Before you get swept away in the holiday madness, take the time to review safety measures you already have in the home, such as smoke detectors and alarm systems. For those traveling this season, this step is an absolute must to keep your home safe.
A good rule of thumb is to check your smoke detectors monthly to ensure they are functioning correctly. When pressing the test button on the sensor, an intense noise should sound, signifying it is working as intended. If the sound is weak or fails to go off, replace the batteries and test again to determine if the detector needs to be replaced entirely.
Before heading out, always check that the alarm is set and armed. If you struggle to remember to put your home’s notice, try putting a reminder on your cellphone. This way, you can replace that nagging feeling with confidence as you take on the holidays. For those without a security system in place, it might be time to consider investing in one to ensure peace of mind all season long.