Have a (Safe) and Happy Holiday

The year-end holiday season Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and New Year’s is a prime time for fires and other accidents. Unfortunately, during this year’s holiday travel period, nearly 30,000+ Americans will be seriously injured in auto accidents, & hundreds more will die due to other accidents. Here are some essential home holiday safety tips to keep in mind.

Decorations:

• Inspect lights: Check all light strings for damage before using. Discard any with frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections. 
• Use appropriate lights: Use lights certified for indoor or outdoor use, as intended.
• Don't overload outlets: Avoid overloading extension cords and power strips. 
• Secure decorations: Make sure decorations are securely fastened to prevent them from falling and causing injury.
• Be careful with candles: Never leave burning candles unattended. Keep them away from flammable materials and out of reach of children and pets. Consider using flameless LED candles instead. 
• Choose flame-resistant decorations: Anytime possible, use decorations made of flame-resistant or flame-retardant materials. 
• Keep decorations away from heat sources: Keep decorations away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources. 

Trees:

• Choose a fresh tree: If you have a real tree, make sure it is fresh and green. Check for dryness by bending the needles – they should be pliable and not break easily. 
• Water your tree: Keep the tree stand filled with water to prevent the tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. 
• Place the tree away from heat sources: Position the tree away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources. 

Cooking:

• Never leave cooking unattended: Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop or oven.
• Keep flammable materials away from the stove: Keep oven mitts, towels, and other flammable materials away from the stove. 
• Use caution when frying: If you are frying food, use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at the correct temperature. Never leave hot oil unattended. 
• Have a fire extinguisher handy: Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it. 

General Safety:

• Install smoke detectors: Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every level of your home and test them regularly. 
• Have a fire escape plan: Develop a fire escape plan and practice it with your family. 
• Keep walkways clear: Keep walkways clear of decorations and other tripping hazards. 
• Supervise children and pets: Supervise children and pets around decorations and other holiday hazards. 
• Lock up valuables: If you are having guests over, lock up any valuables. 
• Be careful with alcohol: If you are serving alcohol, do so responsibly. If you are consuming alcohol - don't drink and drive!

Also, make sure your home insurance policy is up-to-date and provides adequate coverage. While everyone wants to get the Holiday’s & the New Year off to a great start, yours will be much better off if you’re safe while welcoming that first day of January, and all of 2025!