10 Home Safety Checks to Do Right Before the Holidays

It is that time of the year again when the whole world is caught up in merry making and unwinding from all the stresses of the passing year. However, it is easy to get carried away with all the merry making and socializing, and this leaves you and your family vulnerable to a host of dangers. As such, it is important to make some security checks before the holidays so that you can make merry without safety risks and the peace of mind you deserve. There are many safety checks to consider when preparing for the holidays, but some bear more weight than others. Here are ten home safety checks you should conduct right before the holidays.

Test the alarms

Burglers know that most people are usually off-guard during the holidays, and they take advantage of this to break into houses when occupants are out having fun. Additionally, accidental fires are common during the holidays. Alarms should alert you should any of the aforementioned misfortunes happen, but they are not always reliable. As such, it pays to test your fire and security alarms right before the holidays especially if you are planning on going out often.

Watch the candles

Candles are the preferred form of lighting for the holidays thanks to their elegance and enticing fragrance. Unfortunately, they are also the highest cause of accidental fires. However, they are not entirely to blame as ignorance and carelessness also plays a huge role in the accidents. As such, several precautions should be taken to avoid a fire accident. The safest option is to use flameless candles powered by batteries as they pose no risk whatsoever. However, if you prefer to keep the tradition, then ensure that you place the flaming candles on open stands with a clearance of at least 12 inches on all sides. Additionally, be sure to turn the off when you’re done all else they will burn out and fall to the carpet, which would likely ignite a fire.

Water the tree

For many people, Christmas is not complete without a Christmas tree, and an organic one for that matter. However, although a Christmas tree helps to complete the celebrations and gives off an inducing aroma, it also poses accidental fire risks once it dries up. As such, it is advisable to always keep the tree wet by watering it throughout, and especially right before you hang the lights on it. This will not only keep it wet and prevent it from igniting, but it will also preserve the natural woody aroma; besides, it is only right to take care of such a wonderful living symbol of the holidays.

Check the lights

Strands of light do a beautiful job of decorating the Christmas tree and the house as a whole. However, they are used only once a year, and then they are folded and stored for another whole year. During this time, the strands may form cracks and expose the wires within. As a result, they easily ignite fires when wrapped around dry objects such as wood beams and dry Christmas trees, not the mention the risk of electrocution when touched. As such, it is prudent to always inspect the lights before deploying them, as well as to replace them more often.

Check the furnace

One of the age-old characteristics of holidays in much of the U.S. and the world is the cold winter weather. Consequently, furnaces run all-day-long to keep homes warm, but they too, like candles, pose accidental fire risks. As such, it is always advisable to schedule a professional checkup right before winter kicks in. Two factors should be considered for the checkups. First, you need to ensure that the furnace will not cause accidental fires. And, secondly, you need to ensure that it is in good shape to provide the needed warmth lest to avoid cold-related illnesses.

Cook carefully

Ovens and stoves work overtime during the holidays as people feast on a host of home-made dishes. However, although home-made delicacies are heart-warming, they may also result in accidental fires as kitchen equipment are a leading cause of accidental fires. As such, two main precautions should be taken right before the holidays. First, keep away from the kitchen if you are not a good cook; you not only risk causing fires but also killing appetites. Second, make sure that the oven and stove are always turned off after cooking. You can also get a professional technician to check the gas system for added surety.

Ensure hygiene

Home-made meals may taste delicious going down, but they can have adverse effects on your health if you do not ensure proper hygiene. To this end, you need to make several resolutions before the frenzy sets in. First, ensure that you always wash hands before eating. Second, keep the kitchen surfaces and appliances clean before and after cooking. Finally, ensure that you refrigerate any left-overs within two hours after serving to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Add electrical outlets

A lot of electrical appliances will be plugged into the system throughout the holiday: lights, devices, cooking appliance, and entertainment systems, among others. This will require a lot of power and sockets to plug them in, and chances are the current outlets in your house will not be sufficient. Consequently, extension cords will seem appealing, but remember that they are not entirely safe or reliable; there is a limit to the current they can handle, depending on the wattage and quality. As such, it will be necessary to add to the number of power outlets to avoid a possible power outage or even accidental fires. Additionally, have the technician check the system’s maximum wattage to avoid overloading

Trim shrubs and hedges

Shrubs and hedges in your compound serve as the perfect hiding positions for thieves and intruders; they also give the compound a shaggy appearance. As such, it is important to trim them before the holidays to not only achieve a neat appearance befitting the holidays but also discourage would-be intruders from scouting your house.

Liaise with neighbors

It is irresistible to go out during the holidays, and alarms, like most other man-made systems, are not always reliable. Fortunately, you can always count on your neighbors to keep an eye out for any mischief around your house. As such, you should consider working together with your neighbors to watch each other’s backs not only during the holidays but also all-year-round.