Tips for Safer Holiday Celebrations

Hollywood has given us many holiday comedies about light-stringing homeowners who tumble down ladders and Christmas trees that go up in smoke. While it’s funny to watch in a movie, it’s not funny at all if an accident happens in real life, especially during the holiday season. 

To make your holiday celebrations safe, bright, and merry, follow this safety checklist and check it twice to reduce the likelihood of accidents happening. 

Hang Your Outdoor Lights With Care 

Adorning your new home with festive lights, wreaths and other decorations is an excellent way to celebrate the season, but safety first, especially if you need to climb a ladder, or walk about on the roof. 

Inspect the ladder, and make sure that you’ve got the right-sized ladder for the job. Standing on your tippy toes on the top rung to reach the roof is an unnecessary risk. 

Make sure the ground is level and dry before placing the ladder. Choose a day that isn’t windy, rainy or snowy, as the ground could become slippery mid-job. 

Work in pairs, with someone holding the ladder steady and handing items to the other person.  

Wear proper footwear when walking on the roof. 

Live Christmas Tree? Make Sure it is Green 

A live Christmas tree is lovely and can be a meaningful family tradition, but they also are a notorious fire hazard. If an evergreen tree gets too dry, it doesn’t take much for it to catch fire. 

Are the needles vibrant green and hard to pull, indicating the tree is freshly cut? Or do they fall away when you brush your hand against them? Christmas trees are thirsty, and some can guzzle up to a gallon of water a day. Prior to fastening the tree in its stand, cut off at least two inches of the trunk so it can easily absorb the water it needs. 

Once the tree is anchored in its stand, remember to stage it at least three feet away from any heat source. This includes fireplaces, candles, radiators and lamps. It should not be in a space that can create a trip hazard or block a doorway or exit. If you are foregoing a real tree for an artificial one, be sure the label is clearly marked “fire resistant”. 

Make sure that lights on your Christmas tree are not in contact with wrapping paper or other material that could be flammable.  

Indoor and Outdoor Lights 

Inspect each string of lights and discard strings that are frayed or have broken or missing bulbs. 

Also, keep a supply of surge protectors on hand, as this will help you resist the urge to insert multiple plugs or extension cords. A word of caution: Use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside.  

For exterior illumination, only use extension cords that are designated for outdoor use and plug them into a GFCI outlet. And when it’s time for bed, make sure all lights – inside and out are out for the night, too. 

A Welcoming Arrival 

Depending on where you live, you may need to shovel snow and remove ice before guests arrive. Some homeowners may still have a few inches of lingering leaves to rake. Inspect the path that a potential guest will take from their vehicle to your entry door.  

If your builder didn’t include motion sensor lights, this may be the perfect time to install them. Also, double check exterior light bulbs on your porch and patio to confirm they are in working order and adequately light up the driveway and sidewalk. 

The Glow of Hearth and Home 

Basking in the warm, celebratory glow of candles is a memorable part of holiday festivities, but they can pose a major fire hazard. 

• Never leave candles unattended, and ensure they are all properly extinguished before going to bed at night. 

• Place them away from curtains, windows, drafts and clothing. 

• Cut wicks short, to keep flames from growing too large. 

• Ensure lit candles are snugly placed in candle holders, and that the candle holder is on a flat surface. 

• Or, choose LED candles instead, which look a lot like the real thing, without the danger.  

If you have a glowing fireplace, protect your guests from flying embers with a screen. If you do not have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, consider installing them before the day of your party. Advise your insurance company, as your homeowner policy may offer a discount. 

Make sure that you have a working fire extinguisher on each floor of your home, and check the expiry date.  

Don’t overload outlets with too many plugs, between lights and other electric decor, which could also create a fire hazard. 

Keep Pets and Kids Safe 

The holiday season means having different decor, as well as plants, flowers and food laid out, on surfaces that may be otherwise empty. During the rest of the year. 

Curious kids and their little hands also may reach for a sweet delight on the table and cause a dish to fall on top of them, or they may try to climb up on things. Make sure items on tables and counters are out of reach and anchor any furniture pieces that might be tippy to the wall.  

It’s a wise idea to place any decorations on your tree that might pose a danger higher than kids can reach and your pets can access. If you’ve got a pet that is prone to chewing, make sure cords for lights and other decor are out of reach, or properly protected to avoid electrocution. 

Many seasonal dishes can be fatal for pets including turkey skin and bones, garlic and onions. Poinsettias and other similar plants can be toxic, too. 

Kitchen Safety 

• Never leave cooking pots or pans unattended, when they could easily catch fire. 

• Separate raw and cooked foods to avoid cross contamination. 

• Thaw your turkey safely, either in a cold-water bath, or leave it overnight in the fridge (or longer, depending on the size). Leaving it on the counter could cause salmonella poisoning.  

• If you have a grease fire on your stove, cover it, rather than spray it, which will make it more ferocious.  

• Store leftovers promptly and properly, to avoid food poisoning. 

• Wash your hands frequently when working in the kitchen.  

Stock your First Aid Kit 

There is no time like the holidays to make sure that your first aid kit is properly stocked. 

Be sure to have: 

• Antiseptic wipes 

• Bandages 

• Band-Aids 

• Latex gloves 

• Absorbent dressings or gauze 

• Antibiotic ointment 

• Pain medication, such as Tylenol or Advil 

• Tweezers 

• Scissors 

• Medical Tape 

• Thermometer 

Cleared for Departure? 

Take heed if you serve alcoholic beverages at your holiday party – or any party. If someone appears to be intoxicated, have a designated driver take them home, call a rideshare service, or make sure you have a place for them to stay and sober up.  

It’s a good rule of thumb that if you are serving alcohol, you should serve food as well 

Holiday Mishaps and Homeowners Insurance 

While your home insurance policy probably has you covered, it may be a good idea to consult your agent. If someone sustains an injury, or you incur property damage, you will want to have enough liability insurance. It will also be a good time to inquire about dwelling and personal property insurance in case a tree or stove sparks a fire.  

Chances are your new home will be filled with laughter, comfort and joy. Taking a few precautions before the festivities begin should minimize risks and help you relax while entertaining and celebrating with your loved ones.