How to Keep Your Home Safe this Holiday Season

Dec 14, 2022

8

min read

T

he holiday season is undoubtedly the best time of the year: family gatherings, friends, delicious food, decorations, and lighting. The atmosphere is filled with the aromas of good food, laughter, and happiness. It's a time where you feel relaxed and free from your hectic daily routines. But it's also time to be extra cautious since there is an increase in crime, accidents, break-ins, burglaries, and theft. You don't want your happy holiday to be a nightmare, right? We care about your safety, so here are some tips to stay safe this holiday season :

Inspect Your Christmas Lights.

The main highlight of the holiday season is the colorful Christmas lights that light up our festive mood and ambiance. But, if not handled properly, there are chances of fire hazards from a short circuit. Before you plug in your lights, inspect them properly. If a lamp is broken or the cord is frayed, get a new one and toss away the old one. Additionally, make sure to buy lights that meet the national safety requirement. For that, look for the ones certified by Underwriters' Laboratories (UL), Intertek, or CSA group.

Christmas Light Star — Source : Hellomagazine.com

Here are some additional tips :

Turn off all lights before leaving the room or going to sleep.
Don't use nails to hang lights since it might damage the wire's insulation.
Read the instructions carefully before installation. Some lights are meant to be used indoors only.
Never put an extension cord under a rug, door, or piece of heavy furniture; doing so increases the fire risk.
Avoid overloading your extension cable or tripping your circuit breaker by plugging in too many Christmas lights.
Always look for bulbs that say "flame resistant" or "flame retardant" on the packaging.
All outside lighting should be waterproof to prevent damage from rain or snow.

Get a Fireproof Christmas Tree.

Christmas trees are one of the most significant causes of home fires during the holidays. A dry Christmas tree is highly flammable. So, make sure you buy a fresh Christmas tree and water it to prevent a potential fire. In addition, check to see that the tree is properly secured in its stand to ensure that it does not topple over and cause injury to anybody. To avoid the risk of a fire, you may purchase fake trees that are fireproof.

Here are some additional tips :

Before placing a tree on the stand, cut two inches from the base of the trunk. Doing so helps you secure the tree on the stand and eliminate uneven base.
Place the Christmas tree at least three feet away from decorative heat sources, such as the fireplace, candles, and heaters.
Water your Christmas tree daily so that it does not dry out.
Never put burning candles on the tree as decor. If you want, use fake candles.
Always turn off Christmas lights before going to bed.

Clean and Inspect the Fireplaces and Chimneys.

Santa comes down the chimney to give you gifts. So, make sure the chimney is clean enough. Before the holidays roll around, ensure your chimney has been swept and your fireplace is in good working order. Hire a qualified professional to clean and inspect your chimney and fireplace. This prevents creosote buildup and flue blockage, which may cause a chimney fire. This way, not only will Santa thank you, but the fire department will as well.

Here are some additional tips:

Use a fireplace screen.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Don't burn wrapping paper in the fire, as it can burn at extremely high temperatures.
Don't hang Christmas decorations like stockings or keep Christmas gifts near the fireplace.
Clean out air ducts and vents.
Change the air filter if needed.

Cook Safely.

Food is a big part of holiday and Christmas celebrations. However, kitchen fires are one of the leading causes of house fires. Most of which are caused by unattended cooking. With guests arriving, a bustling ambiance, and gatherings, you may forget what you have left on the burner. Consequently, it's not just burnt food; it might trigger a catastrophic event. So, this Christmas season, never leave the cooking equipment unattended and turn off the burners if you have to leave the kitchen.

Here are some additional tips:

Unplug countertop appliances when not in use.
Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking.
Keep anything that is combustible away from the stovetop.
Don't cook if you are drunk or tired.
Keep pets and children away from the stove.

Unplug Heating Appliances.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical problems account for 68% of home fires. Electrical appliances often catch fire due to malfunctioning or being left on for too long. It would be best if you always switched off a space heater before leaving the room or going to sleep. Also, keep kids and pets away from any space heaters.

Here are some additional tips :

Make sure all appliances are CSA-approved.
Ensure your space heater auto shuts off if tipped over
Don't DIY your broken equipment.
Ensure that appliances are plugged into outlets, not extension cords. If you don't have an outlet, have an electrician install them near the appliance.
Read the instructions properly.

Handle Candles With Care.

Lighting candles is a traditional part of celebrating the winter holidays, but they pose a severe fire danger if not handled properly. According to NFPA, more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. So be careful and handle candles with care.

Here are some safety tips:

Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
Consider flameless candles.
Blow out candles when not in sight.
Put candles on stable surfaces and away from the Christmas decorations.‍‍

Don't Share Travel Plans.

If you plan to travel during this holiday season, you might be excited to share your plans on social media. But don't. Never post where you are heading, when you are leaving and when you will be back. An intruder would be well-served by knowing that the house would be vacant at that time, and they could plan their heist. The intruder does not necessarily have to be an outsider; sometimes, they are someone we know.

Hide Packages and Gifts.

The Grinch isn't the only one stealing Christmas presents; porch pirates will gladly take packages right from your front porch. They know that people will get many packages during the holiday season, so they prey on the boxes left unguarded on front porches. As a result, your package gets stolen before you even get your hands on it. Aside from evil porch pirates, some burglars and thieves know people are getting new stuff, and they break into homes to steal new gifts under the tree.

Follow these suggestions to prevent yourself from falling victim to porch pirates and burglary:

Install a doorbell cam and CCTV camera outside the front door.
Don't put gifts in front of windows as it lures thieves.
Don't dispose of big-ticket purchases or name-brand boxes out in the open, as the burglar knows you have expensive items in your home.
Ask to deliver packages to your work address when you are not home.
Use an Amazon locker or key.
Ask your neighbor or a nearby store to receive packages.

Get a Home Security System.

Home Security Monitoring — Source: Which magazine

The latest technology has blessed us as it helps us keep an eye on our house while away. You can install a home security system and monitor and control your house through your mobile app. The newest home security systems include smart locks, smart lighting, a 24/7 monitoring camera, and sensors for doors and windows. You will get instant alerts on your phone if any sensors are activated. As a result, your house will be safe even while you're away, giving you peace of mind. So, how about getting one installed this holiday season?

Even if you can't have one installed, trick the thieves by placing a sign stating that the property is under CCTV surveillance. This would make a thief think twice about targeting your house.

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Make Sure Your Home Looks Occupied.

Unoccupied houses are like open jewelry boxes for a thief. That's why it's crucial to make it seem as if someone is home even while you're away. Burglars monitor properties to see whether the house is vacant. Uncollected mail, overgrown driveways, and no lights are all telltale signs that no one's home. Install a home security and automation system that allows you to simulate occupancy by turning on lights at predetermined times. Additionally, you can ask your neighbors to collect your mail, shove away your driveaway, and even park their cars in the driveway so that your house looks occupied.

Conclusion

The holiday season is one of the most exciting times of the year, and you don't want to turn it into a nightmare by falling victim to crime or accidents. Even while you should take time off to celebrate and enjoy yourself, don't let your guard down. Just be sure you set aside some time to take additional precautions. As much as happiness and fun should not be compromised, neither should safety. We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season!

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