Holiday Safety Tips for Your Home or Condo

The holiday season is almost upon us! You’re likely making plans on how to spend time with your friends and family. Candles, Christmas trees, and holiday lighting are traditionally a part of festive winter celebrations no matter where you live, but as you enjoy the festive time, extra precautions should be taken in order to prevent holiday accidents. Here are some quick holiday safety tips you can use this upcoming holiday season.

Ensure Your Smoke Alarms are Working

According to the National Fire Protect Association, more than 40% of all home fire fatalities occur in homes with faulty smoke alarms or no smoke alarms at all. You should be doing regular check-ups on smoke alarms to minimize the risks. Here are some things you can do to ensure your smoke alarms are in good working condition:

• Make sure all smoke alarms have a label of a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories.
• Mount the devices on a wall 6 to 12 inches from the ceiling.
• Install a new battery every year, and replace the smoke alarms every ten years.
• Check the device every month with the test button.
• For best protection, all smoke alarms should be internally linked to go off at the same time.

Remember that Christmas Trees Can Be a Fire Hazard

Christmas trees are an essential part of holiday décor.  Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to multiple risks. Christmas Trees are involved in at least 400 fires every year. To avoid becoming part of this statistic, practice the following:

• Choose a fresh, green tree to reduce the risk of fire hazard of dry needles.
• Give it plenty of water – a six-foot tree loses half a gallon of water daily.
• Make sure to keep it away from heat sources and flammable materials.
• Turn off the lights on the tree when no one is around to minimize the chance of a short-circuit resulting in a fire.
• Make sure you keep your toddlers and pets away from the tree. They can knock it over and either be hurt, or knock over a candle and cause a fire.

Be Mindful of Candles, Fireplaces, and Chimneys

Candles, just like fireplaces, should be used with extra caution, as an open flame poses additional risks to your safety.

• Never leave a child or a pet alone in a room with candles or a fireplace.
• Keep combustibles at least three feet away from all open sources of fire.
• Have your chimney checked every year before the holiday season.
• Flammable liquids like gasoline and lantern fuel should never be used to light a fire.
• As a rule of thumb, never leave fire unattended and extinguish all candles and the fireplace when going to sleep.

Don't Overuse Extension Cords

Improper use of extension cords and damaged holiday lights can all cause short-circuits that result in fires. Most risks can be minimized, if you follow a few simple rules:

• Check all lights and cords for damaged sockets and bare wires.
• Never connect more than three light strands together.
• Do not fold or staple any extension cord.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets and consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the power requirements of each device.
• Keep all electrical devices clear of snow, water or any other liquid.

Wrapping Up

Enjoy your holidays safely with your loved ones in a risk-free environment. Your homeowners association management company may have more tips and tricks to stay safe this holiday season. Be sure to take their advice! By taking the right steps to protect yourself and the people around you, you’re setting a foundation for a wonderful and joyous winter season!

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