Setting up the tree, wrapping presents, baking cookies, and putting up the lights – the holidays can be a busy time of the year. We hope that while you enjoy all these wonderful holiday traditions, you don’t forget holiday safety. Here is a list of tips to keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season.
Bright lights
Make sure that all your festive lights are off when you go to bed or leave the house. Garland lights, Christmas tree lights, and all other decorative lights are fire hazards when left unattended. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), US fire departments responded to an average of 160 fires per year, which started from Christmas trees between the years 2013 and 2017. Turning your lights off, making sure your tree is watered, or buying an artificial one are easy ways to keep Christmas tree fire incidents from occurring.
Lit Candles
Pay close attention to lit candles and make sure they are not close to something that could catch fire. Candles are a popular Christmas decoration, and although very festive and cozy, candle fires are extremely common over the holidays. The NFPA reported that Christmas Eve and New Years were the most common days for candle fires. To avoid an incident, make sure that lit candles are not left unattended or set close to anything that could burn.
THE KITCHEN
The number one culprit for home fires and injuries is cooking, and it’s no secret that the kitchen is a busy place during the holidays. In fact, following Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are next on the list in terms of home cooking fires. You can minimize your risk of a fire in the kitchen by keeping all appliances clean and in good condition, as well as installing a smoke detector (and making sure it works). Also, avoid using metal in the microwave and always unplug electrical appliances (such as toasters, coffee makers, sandwich presses, and mixers) when you’re not using them.
Watch out for Ice
Make sure your driveway is clear by being diligent about snow removal. Slips, trips, and falls are common holiday hazards, with snow build-up and ice being taking responsibility for many incidents. Most falls occur in driveways, walkways, or parking lots, so it is your responsibility to make sure your property is safe if you have friends and family over this holiday season. It is also important to check road conditions if you plan on traveling – if winter weather is in place, it is worthwhile to make sure that the roads are safe enough to drive.
Don’t forget to shovel
Be mindful of home security. With people always coming and going during the holidays, break-ins occur at an all-time high. In fact, according to the FBI, December is the month with the highest burglary rate in the US, with 21,900 break-ins in California alone in 2011. If there is newly fallen snow that is yet to be shoveled, burglars can often tell whether tenants are home. You and your family can protect against a holiday break-in by always locking your doors (even if you are home), keeping your garage closed, locking windows, and being aware of strangers in your neighborhood.
Height can be a factor
Christmas lights on your house are beautiful, but setting them up is not only time consuming but can also be a significant fall hazard! Remember to always keep one hand on the ladder while working, carry a tool belt if you require extra materials up there, make sure there are no power lines or electrical hazards near the ladder, and lean the ladder against the side of your house with care; good practice is at a 4:1 ratio (if your ladder is 4 meters tall, the base of the ladder should be placed one meter from your house).
Fireworks
With New Years around the corner, those familiar cracks and booms will begin to light up the sky! Although fireworks are a great way to celebrate, they can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. Never point or throw a firework, and make sure to stand a safe distance away once one has been lit. Also, never shoot fireworks out of a glass or metal container and avoid re-lighting fireworks that did not lite entirely. Lastly, keep some water close by to wet the used fireworks upon disposal, and never let children play with them.
This holiday season, we hope that you get to relax and spend plenty of time with friends and family while keeping these safety tips in mind. Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season and a very Happy New Year from all of us at Scatterling!