As we deck the halls and jingle all the way, make sure safety is a key element of your holiday cheer. Grab a cup of cocoa and let’s dive into some tips to keep your holidays merry, bright, and safe.
- Play Inspector Gadget: Before you go full Clark Griswold on your home’s holiday lighting display, channel your inner detective and inspect all decorations. Look for frayed wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections.
- Deck the halls – safely: Plugging too many decorations into a single outlet can lead to overheating, increasing your fire risk. One high-wattage appliance per socket, please.
- Three’s company, four’s a fire hazard: When it comes to stringing lights, follow the “rule of three” to ensure you don’t string more than three strands of incandescent lights together. Opt for LED lights wherever possible. They’re not only safer because they’re cooler, but they also use less energy, allowing you to connect more strings together.
- Mind your cords: Ensure that electrical cords are not pinched in windows or heavy furniture, as this can damage the insulation and create a fire hazard. Be sure to keep cords away from heat sources and make sure they are out of the way so folks can’t trip on them. The holidays are no fun with a broken leg.
- Keep it cool: Your decorations and heat sources should practice social distancing. Keep them three feet apart to avoid a fire hazard and be sure to turn off all decorations when leaving home or going to bed.
- A watched pot: Stay vigilant while cooking your holiday feast. Unattended pots and pans can burn, boil over or cause other unexpected adventures – and not the good kind.
- Hydrate your tree: If your Christmas tree is real, treat it like a thirsty marathoner. A well-watered tree is a happy, safer tree. If you notice your tree has gotten extremely dried out, consider removing heat generating decorations.
- Fake it ’til you make it: candles edition: Opt for battery-operated candles. All the ambiance, none of the fire risk.
- The real deal only: When purchasing decorations, look for those that have been tested for safety by recognized laboratories. This ensures they meet safety standards. In addition, make sure your outdoor decorations are rated for outdoor use.
- Check your fire extinguisher: You don’t want to find out your fire extinguisher has expired when you need to put out a fire. Check it now.
Enjoy the season!
