Home safety tips for this holiday season
There’s nothing better than walking into a home and being welcomed by the smell of a gingerbread, caramel, or apple spice candle. While the smell is fantastic, please remember to keep candles out of reach of young children and away from low-hanging material, such as drapes, and flammable decorations, including Christmas trees. Please make sure that candles are in secure, non-combustible holders and are never left unattended.
The holidays can get busy and sometimes we forget what we were doing…like cooking a ham in the oven. Be sure to always have at least three fire extinguishers throughout your home (definitely in the kitchen) in case of an emergency. Fire extinguishers can be used on combustible materials, flammable liquids and electrical fires. When using a fire extinguisher, pull the pin, aim at the fire, squeeze the handle and then sweep from side to side at the base of the fire. Also, be sure to keep them out of reach of young children!
As you dance through your home to Holiday music, check each smoke detector to make sure that it is functioning properly. You may also want to install a couple carbon monoxide detectors in case of gas leaks. You can even connect your carbon monoxide detector up to your SmartThings hub for easy monitoring. Always install the carbon monoxide detectors a foot or two from the ground. The gas settles low and then rises; you want to catch it fast!
Picking out a Christmas tree can be fun for the whole family. But how do you know which one to choose? The biggest and fullest tree? Possibly, but also try and pick a tree that is as fresh and as green as possible. Once your tree makes it home, cut off an inch or two from the trunk to allow the tree to soak up water. Place your tree in a stand that holds water to keep the tree from drying out. If your family chooses to use an artificial tree, buy a tree labeled fire-resistant. If the tree comes with lights already installed, be sure to look for the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) seal of approval, confirming that the tree was properly wired. Have fun decorating!
Whether you’re outside hanging up lights or inside placing the star on top of the tree, remember that ladders need to be used properly. When using step ladders, make sure all four legs are firmly planted and that the top step is only used to place items on or to rest your arm on for balance. Never stand on the top step. For extension ladders, positioning the ladder at a 75 degree angle will give you optimal safety. Use ladder pads on the end of extension ladders as well to keep from slipping. Lastly, always have a partner there when using a ladder. It’s always nice having someone there to spot you and hold the ladder when you are up high!
Nothing says happy holidays better than bright, colorful lights! Before hanging your lights, be sure to check for broken bulbs or cracked sockets. If they can’t be fixed, you may want to discard and use a new strand. When replacing a bulb, make sure that the lights are unplugged. For the jobs that require strands of lights to be linked, try to only link three strands together, unless the instructions say otherwise. Avoid running extension cords across open walkways or under rugs. If the cord needs to be secured, use electrical tape. Last, but not least, be sure to turn off all lights before leaving your home or going to bed. Happy hanging!
Before hanging your stockings by the chimney with care, make sure that the fire isn’t a blazing. Stocking and other combustible decorations can be a fire hazard while the fireplace is being used, so be sure to remove them beforehand. Also, never leave a fireplace unattended. For those who have electric fireplaces, be sure to turn it off before leaving the room. Avoid hanging decorations that come in contact with the protective glass as well. For optimum fireplace enjoyment, grab a blanket and hot chocolate!
We hope these tips were helpful and will be able to aid you throughout this wonderful season. May your family be safe and enjoy your time together. From all of us here at De Young Properties, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
Author: Paula De Young
The post 7 Tips To Keep your Ho-Ho-Home Safe during the Holidays appeared first on De Young Properties.
