Home Safety Tips for a Comfy Holiday Season
December 16, 2024
The holidays are an exciting time. From family gatherings and decorating to cooking and wrapping gifts, there is always plenty to keep us busy this time of year. With so much activity in our homes, practicing good safety during the entire season is essential.
To help your family have the safest and coziest season yet, here are some home safety measures to remember as you celebrate.
When Decorating with Lights...
Who doesn't enjoy a glowing, twinkly home during the holidays? We certainly do! But decorating with lights requires caution.
- Check that the lights' strings don't have any loose or exposed wires.
- Don't place electric lights on metal-framed trees.
- Choose energy-efficient LED lights over incandescent bulbs.
- Always turn the lights off when you leave the house.
- Consider placing lights on a timer or installing an app to control them.
- Always keep light strings and cords away from water.
When Traveling Out of Town...
If you headed over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house, it's a good idea to prep your home for the days you'll be gone.
- Invest in electrical timers so it appears you are home.
- Disconnect any garden hoses from outside spigots.
- Turn off outdoor pipes at the shutoff valves to avoid frozen pipes.
- Set your water heater to vacation mode (or turn it down) to save energy.
When Using Candles to Set a Mood...
Scented candles smell great, and their glowing embers create a soft, festive mood. However, they can be a fire hazard. Remember...
- Keep candles out of reach of small children and away from pets.
- Don't leave lit candles unattended.
- Snuff candles out when you leave the house.
- Place candles on a flat surface.
- Use battery-operated candles.
- Keep candles three feet from anything flammable.
When Cooking for the Family...
- Always have a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Never place holiday decorations near the stove or oven.
- Be sure that the smoke and CO2 detectors are in working order.
When Using Space Heaters...
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that close to 1,700 fires result from space heaters a year. This information makes practicing good heater safety during the holidays even more critical.
- Keep space heaters on a flat surface.
- Choose the right size heater for your room.
- Select models with safety/shutoff features.
- Use thermostatically controlled models (they won't overheat your room).
- Don't leave space heaters unattended.
- Unplug units when not in use.
- Keep flammable items at least three feet from your heater.
- Keep space heaters away from pets and children.
For Peace of Mind...
Always schedule your annual HVAC tune-up before the holidays. Regular maintenance is the best way to avoid emergency HVAC repair during the holiday festivities!
Happy Holidays from Total Comfort
The entire team at Total Comfort wishes you a safe and comfortable holiday season. As always, we are here for you seven days a week if you need furnace repairs, water heater maintenance, emergency plumber services, and more!