The holiday season brings family and friends together, filling homes with laughter, cheer, and a festive spirit. However, with the increase in foot traffic, decorations, and cooking, there’s also a rise in potential home safety hazards. Let’s take a look at some essential holiday home safety tips to ensure your gatherings are both joyful and accident-free.
Fire Safety: Avoid Common Hazards
Nothing captures holiday charm like the glow of candles and string lights. However, fire hazards are a top safety concern during the holiday season, making it essential to prioritize holiday home safety with a few preventive measures. When decorating, choose flame-resistant or flame-retardant items, especially if you have a live Christmas tree or natural wreaths. Dried branches and other organic decor can ignite quickly if exposed to a spark or flame, so using fire-safe decorations reduces the risk.
Battery-operated candles are an easy way to bring ambiance without the open flame – adding a warm glow to your home while eliminating the risk of fire. If you prefer traditional candles, be sure to keep them away from flammable materials and always extinguish them before leaving a room. When stringing lights, inspect for any worn or frayed wires before use, as damaged lights can spark and cause a fire. Discard any lights appearing questionable and avoid overloading outlets to prevent overheating.
The kitchen is another area to monitor closely, especially with all the extra cooking accompanying holiday gatherings. Stovetop fires are more likely when preparing food for a crowd, so never leave pots or pans unattended. It’s also wise to keep a fire extinguisher nearby for quick access, especially when cooking for larger groups.
By focusing on fire safety as part of your holiday home safety strategy, you’re protecting both your loved ones and your home from potential dangers, allowing everyone to enjoy the season safely.
Fall Prevention: Protect Guests & Family Members
With more people moving through your home during the holidays, the risk of slips, trips, and falls increases – making fall prevention an essential part of holiday home safety. Clear walkways of holiday decorations, power cords, and any clutter to ensure safe passage for everyone. Rugs and mats can also present a tripping hazard, particularly for older guests or young children, so consider securing them or removing them altogether in high-traffic areas.
Lighting is another important factor in keeping you and your guests safe. While dim lighting can add to the festive ambiance, it can also make it difficult to spot potential hazards. Make sure pathways, stairs, and entryways are well-lit, allowing guests to navigate safely throughout your home. For guests arriving from rainy weather, place a sturdy mat or rug at entry points to prevent slips on wet floors. It’s also helpful to keep a mop or towel handy to quickly clean up any water tracked in to reduce the risk of accidents.
Child Safety: Holiday Gatherings for All Ages
If you’re expecting guests with children, holiday home safety should include measures to keep little ones out of harm’s way. A few quick adjustments can create a kid-friendly environment without compromising the holiday atmosphere. Start by securing hazardous items. Keep sharp objects, breakable decorations, and small choking hazards out of reach. Placing these items on higher shelves or in areas children are less likely to access is a simple way to prevent accidents.
The kitchen, a popular gathering spot during holiday celebrations, presents additional risks for children. Set clear boundaries to keep them away from hot stovetops, sharp utensils, and other potential hazards. This small step can make the kitchen safer for everyone and allow adults to prepare food without worry.
Pet Safety: Keeping Furry Friends Safe
Pets are family too, and holiday gatherings can be overwhelming for them. To ensure they stay calm and secure, start by securing holiday food and drinks. Holiday treats like chocolate, nuts, and certain spices can be toxic to pets, so keep all food and drinks out of reach of your four-legged family members and remind guests not to feed pets any table scraps.
The noise and commotion of holiday festivities can also be stressful for pets. Setting aside a quiet room or area where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed can provide them with a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle.
Holiday decorations can present additional risks to pets. Items like tinsel or small ornaments may be tempting for pets to chew or swallow, which could lead to health issues. Keeping these decorations out of reach, or avoiding them altogether, can help prevent accidents.
Exit Strategy: Be Prepared for Any Emergency
No one wants to think of worst-case scenarios during the holidays but planning an emergency exit route can ensure everyone’s well-being during a gathering and is an essential part of holiday home safety.
Start by making sure pathways to exits are clear of decorations, furniture, or other obstacles so guests can easily exit if needed. For larger gatherings, let everyone know the locations of key exits, especially if they’re unfamiliar with your home. If you have guests with mobility challenges or disabilities, ensure they’re comfortable and have any needed assistance.
Keep the Holidays Merry & Bright – and Safe
Holiday gatherings are a time for connection, celebration, and creating cherished memories. By prioritizing holiday home safety, you’re ensuring those memories are joyful ones, free from accidents and mishaps. From fire safety to pet-proofing your home over the holidays, these practical steps can help create a safe, welcoming space for everyone.
At Ovation Home Insurance Exchange, we encourage Florida homeowners to stay safe, enjoy the festivities, and make this season one to remember – for all the right reasons! To discuss the protections offered by your homeowners policy with Ovation, contact your agent. And, if you’re in search of quality, affordable home insurance, get started with an online quote with us now.