How to Have a Safe Home Over the Holidays

Using multiple extension cords and power strips create an environment that is ideal for flash fires. Luckily, holiday blazes and other such unpleasant possibilities are all avoidable and following a few simple guidelines will help ensure a safe and happy holiday.

Unsurprisingly, the primary safety focal point is the tree. Placed in the wrong area, the tree becomes a serious fire hazard. In addition to faulty lights triggering a spark, dry needles are highly flammable and if it’s too close to the fireplace the tree will catch on fire potentially spreading to the rest of the house. It’s also a good idea to secure the tree in an appropriate stand to avoid it being knocked over by a pet or clumsy relative.

Smoke detectors and power sources themselves should also be monitored for sound functioning. You can avoid trouble by using one extension cord rather than plugging an extension cord into an extension cord into a power strip attached to an outlet. The guideline here is “one and done.” Extension cords and power strips come in multiple lengths and sizes. It’s much safer to buy an appropriate cord or strip than it is to use multiples of each. Also, turn off Christmas lights when you go to bed. The last thing you want to wake you up in the middle of the night is inferno tree.

The holiday season is also a time in which the house is vulnerable to home invasion. Not only are there tempting gifts under the tree, but many families leave town all together. If you do leave your house, make sure that your interior and exterior houselights are on a timer so as to deter potential thieves. Also, have a neighbor keep a lookout for suspicious activity and keep the gifts away from large windows.  

The holidays can be stressful and distracting so avoiding unnecessary worry about things like tree fires and home invasion will definitely move your holiday along smoothly. By following these simple guidelines you can feel confident that you and your family will be safe for the holidays.
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