Holiday safety may not be the first thing on our minds as we approach the holidays. There is plenty else to worry about and prepare. This is the time that our homes become gathering places for those we love. We want them to be comfortable and happy, and we look forward to spending time and celebrating with them.
However it does pay off to make your home safer for the holidays. It requires just a little care, forethought and organization to keep everyone safe and everything running smoothly.
Prevent Fires
- Fires cause a lot of damage around this time of the year. A little prevention can go a long way towards preventing that damage. One of the easiest things you can do is to keep all upholstered pieces away from heating sources.
- Another is to be on the lookout stray cigarette stubs if you allow smoking inside the home. Periodically check for stray cigarette stubs on or around the cushions.
- Make sure that any space heater has a 3 feet clearance in all directions.
- Keep candles away from all curtains, upholstery, and flammable decorations. Put them where they will not be tipped over accidentally. Never leave candles unattended or use for decorating trees. Flameless candles are a good option. If you must use the real thing, it is better to use candle stands that will enclose the flame.
- Christmas trees are one of the biggest sources of fire around this time of the year. They should not be allowed to become dry, so make sure your tree sits in water after you chop off about 1 inch from the bottom. Artificial trees can be very highly flammable, too. If you do use an artificial tree, make sure it has a UL label on it.
- Don’t overload circuits by plugging everything into one electric source. Additionally, you should unplug all lights before leaving the house or going to bed. Some more safety steps you can take include replacing frayed cords, and only using lights with the UL label on them. Your extension cords should have built in circuit breakers.
- Finally, make sure your fireplaces and chimneys are safe. All fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected before you light any fires to check for creosote buildup, and to clean out objects such as leaves or birds nests. To further reduce fir hazards it helps to screen your fireplaces off to prevent any sparks flying out. Instead of burning wood, it is better to use a clean burning log, as it does not give off toxins. Clean burning logs are easily available and easy to use.
Prevent Falls and Injuries.
After you have made your home fire-safe, consider making it injury safe as well.
- Fix any wobbly chairs and make sure furniture is placed in such a way that people can move around without hurting themselves. Especially make sure sharp cornered tables, if any, are positioned so that people or children don’t walk into them.
- Rugs dress can up a room, add color, and make it cozy. However, you should make sure your rugs are skid proof and stay put on the floor. Rug liners accomplish this job nicely. There are different kinds for different floor types, so what works on carpeting will not work on a hardwood floor. Make sure to get the right kind for your rug.
- Have night lights in hallways and bathrooms especially when you have guests staying over. Make sure any steps or changes in the floor level are also lit so that it is easy to see.
Childproofing
Childproofing is important if you are having young children over.
- When you are expecting small children to accompany your guests, consider holiday decorations that are not very fragile. Similarly you may want to leave the good china in the cabinets.
- Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to secure your furniture to reduce the danger of tip-overs.
- Nothing makes up for having someone in charge, and some common sense precautions also help, such as making sure to store all your cleaning supplies, medicine, and vitamins out of reach of small children.
- So many attractive holiday plants commonly used for holiday decorating are toxic. If you use holly, mistletoe or poinsettias to decorate, place them where children cannot reach them.
- The tree stand should be sturdy and anchored to prevent tipping over. Do not use fragile or breakable ornaments near the bottom.
- Electrical cords should be kept away from children.
- Candles, menorahs and all matches and lighters should also be out of reach.
