Christmas Safety
Who doesn’t love the Christmas season? Regardless of if you’re in a cold weather location or not there is something about this time of year that can make the grumpiest heart happy & light. While you’re breaking out those old decorations & decking your halls keep in mind these helpful tips to keep your home safe & enjoyable this holiday.
Candles can be a lovely addition to your home during the holidays, especially with all those wonderful scents. Always remember to keep an eye on them though. Children, pets & even adults can bump these & cause a disaster! Always extinguish when leaving unattended.
Trees are a nice addition to the holidays especially for those with children. Live trees must be kept well watered & it’s recommended you turn them off just like those candles when not in attendance.
When plugging in exterior or interior lights it is recommended once & done. Do not plug multiple extension cords in to get the power to where you need it. Use cords that are the right length to get you where you need to go. You can also try solar or battery powered lights as well. As with the candles & tree turn off lights when not in attendance or use a timer. Our household has a timer for everything outside lights, inside lights we love our timers.
Check those lights before installing. Inspect them for frayed cords, cracked holders, and loose connections. Replace blub or strands if needed. Do the same with your extension cords. Use the proper one for the job, outside cords for outside & inside cords for inside work.
Hanging lights? Make sure you are using the right size ladder for the job. Do not stand or sit on the top 2 rungs of the ladder. Make sure you are on stable ground & having a spotter isn’t a bad idea either. Do not climb wet ladders & put away when finished see tip 8 for why.
Check those alarms both smoke & carbon monoxide. You should be doing it every month but especially now. This time of year exposes your home to more than the usual possible fire hazards so make sure you are checking your alarms. If over 10 years it is also recommended that you replace them.
Before all the wonderful new gifts come, now would be a good time to clear all the clutter. Get rid of broken items, not used items in good condition can be donated or re-gifted, out grown items can be donated as well. A clutter free home will also make entertaining more enjoyable for all.
Keep your home locked up. Burglars love the holidays with all the great gifts under the tree they find it hard to resist. So keep your home locked up as a deterrent. Also exterior lights on. A well-lit house is a well-protected home. An inexpensive home security system may also set your mind at ease.
While we are on the subject of gifts keep them under wraps. I know getting that new TV. was the best gift ever but avoid bragging on social media. This is the new way burglars love to find what they want & bragging makes it easy so resist the urge even after the holidays have passed.
Check those warning labels on gift giving. I know it’s boring & most common sense but something with small parts may not be good for fido or that new baby in the family. Same with glass ornaments, decorations, etc. Keep these out of reach of little hands or paws.
Remember to enjoy the season! Time goes so quickly & everyone seems so busy so remember to take it to enjoy your family & friends. Slow things down a little & appreciate all you have. Until next year Merry Christmas!
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