The holidays are a special time to spend with family and friends. To fully enjoy the holidays, it pays to be safe. Follow these holiday safety tips, and you'll enjoy a safe and fun holiday.
General Home Safety
Make sure that all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order and have fresh batteries.
Have a good fire extinguisher handy in any room that could present a fire hazard, such as the kitchen or any room with a Christmas tree, fireplace, or lit candles.
If you have had a party where guests have smoked cigarettes, after they leave look around the floor and under chairs for any lit cigarettes that may have fallen. Smoldering cigarettes could ignite something flammable and cause a fire.
Make sure the sidewalks and walkways are clear of ice and snow so that your guests can arrive and leave safely.
If your guests have consumed alcoholic beverages, make sure that a designated driver gets them home safely, or call a cab for them.
Indoor & Outdoor Christmas Light Safety
For outdoor lighting, be sure to use lights that are specially rated for outdoor use. Never use indoor lights outside; they are not made to withstand the elements.
If you need to use an extension cord for your outdoor lights, use only one, and be sure that it also is rated for outdoor use.
To hang outdoor lights, use a good quality ladder, properly seated on the ground. Do not try to stretch to reach the next light. Get down and move the ladder.
If an area of your house or yard receives several hours of sunlight during the day, consider using solar-powered LED decorative lights. The lights remain cool to the touch, and there are no cords to plug in.
For Christmas tree lights or other interior hanging lights, use miniature lights that are designed to remain cool to the touch. String no more than three light strings together. And never use more than one extension cord.
Make sure all lights are in good condition with no frayed or bare wires.
Winter Holiday Fireplace & Chimney Tips
Make sure the chimney flue is clean. Chimneys should be cleaned annually to prevent chimney fires.
If you have a wood-burning fireplaces, make sure that the logs are placed solidly in the grates so that they won’t fall forward. Use a fireplace screen to prevent embers from flying out of the fireplace onto the carpet or floor and possibly causing a fire.
Make sure the fireplace is not left unattended if there are young children in the house, and always extinguish all fireplace ashes before leaving the house or going to bed.
Using Candles In Your Home
Make sure that lit candles are not within reach of any curtains, trees, or other flammable items.
Similar to your fireplace, candles should also not be within reach of young children. Be sure to blow out any candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
Setting Up Your Christmas Tree
Consider using a fake tree. Artificial trees won’t catch on fire. If you plan to use a real tree, consider the following tips. Try to buy a fresh Christmas tree, or go to a tree farm and cut your own tree. Fresher trees will not dry out as quickly, which will be less of a fire hazard in your home.
When you bring the tree home, cut off the bottom inch at the base of the tree. It will make it easier for the tree to absorb water from the tree stand. Use a tree stand that holds at least one gallon of water. Add water to the tree stand daily. Never let the stand run dry.
Place the tree in an area that is far from all heat sources: fireplaces, furnace registers, and candles.
String miniature lights that are cool to the touch around the tree when decorating. Be sure to turn off the tree lights when you leave the house or go to bed.
If you are considering buying or selling a home, give us a call at 919-659-5173 or send us a message online. My partner Andrew Palumbo and I both have extensive real estate and construction experience.
Posted by Larry Tollen on
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