12 Days of Holiday Safety
The holidays are a time for family, fun, and celebrations. But if you’re not careful, they can also be a time for accidents and injuries. From fires to falls, there are many potential hazards in the home during the holiday season.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 12 days of holiday safety tips to help you keep your home safe and accident-free this holiday season.
Day 1: Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are working properly and have fresh batteries. Test them by pushing the test button monthly. Many homes and lives are at risk because the smoke detectors were out of batteries.
Day 2: Keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains, furniture, or Christmas trees. Never leave burning candles unattended. Avoid using decorative candles altogether and opt for battery-operated LED candles instead.
Day 3: Inspect your Christmas tree for signs of drying out or needle drop before putting it up. Keep the tree watered and away from heat sources like fireplaces or vents to prevent it from drying out too quickly. When the tree starts to drop needles, it’s time to get rid of it.
Day 4: Don’t overload electrical outlets with multiple plugs and extension cords. This could cause a fire hazard. Use surge protectors instead of extension cords whenever possible. If you must use extension cords, make sure they are not damaged in any way and are rated for the amount of electricity they will be carrying.
Day 5: Prevent accidental fires by making sure all embers are extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house. Never leave fireplaces, wood stoves, or space heaters unattended when in use. Keep a fire extinguisher within reach in case of an emergency.
Day 6: If you’re using a real Christmas tree, make sure it is at least 3 feet away from any heat source like a fireplace, radiator, or space heater to prevent it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. If you have a fake tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” This does not mean the tree won’t catch on fire; it just means it is less likely to do so than other artificial trees without that label.
Day 7: Bring in fresh air by opening windows when cooking or using the fireplace to prevent carbon monoxide buildup in the home. Install carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home and check them regularly to make sure they are working properly.
Day 8: Keep wrapped gifts out of reach of small children who might be tempted to open them early! Store them in a closet or on high shelves until it’s time to put them under the tree.
Day 9: Choose electric lights instead of real candles when decorating your home for the holidays. If you must use real candles, make sure they are placed in sturdy holders and kept away from flammable materials like curtains or paper decorations. Never leave burning candles unattended!
Day 10: Be extra careful when cooking during the holidays as this is one of the leading causes of house fires. Never leave food unattended on the stovetop or in the oven—stay in the kitchen while cooking! Keep a close eye on deep fryers as well; if they start smoking, turn them off immediately and call 911 if necessary.
Day 11: Keep walkways and stairs clear of snow and ice to prevent slips and falls . . . two more leading causes of injuries during wintertime! Also make sure your sidewalks and driveway are well-lit to avoid trips and falls in the dark evening hours of the day.
Day 12: Use your security system! EMC Security will only receive an intrusion signal when it’s armed. Help prevent regrets this holiday season.
We hope these tips help you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season! From all of us here at EMC Security, Happy Holidays!