4 Holiday Home Safety Tips You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Over 125 years, we’ve seen it all. From house fires started by burning wrapping paper in the fireplace to Christmas trees knocked over by overzealous pets. Keeping you and your family safe and protected is our biggest priority, which is why we hope you’ll take the time to read and implement these holiday home safety tips. Doing so could save lives!

Holiday Home Safety Tip #1: Practice Christmas Tree Safety

Nothing spreads holiday cheer quite like a fully decorated Christmas tree, but putting up a tree isn’t without its risks. Follow these Christmas tree safety guidelines to keep you, your family, your pets, and your home safe:

• Choose the right tree. If you’re going natural, choose a tree with vibrant green needles that don’t break easily, as a fresh tree is less likely to catch fire. If you’re buying an artificial tree, choose one that’s “fire resistant.”
• Consider tree placement. Don’t place your Christmas tree in front of heat sources like radiators, space heaters, candles, heat vents, or fireplaces, as this can dry out your tree and increase the risk of fire.
• Secure the tree. Especially if you have small children or pets, it’s important to make sure the base is steady, so the tree won’t tip over. For added security, tie two our three lengths of fishing line from the top of the tree to something sturdy, like a curtain rod or a wall screw.

Holiday Home Safety Tip #2: Don’t Leave Cooking Unattended

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, and these numbers peak on holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas, where people tend to cook large meals for their families. Don’t let a fire ruin your holiday; make sure someone is always in the kitchen while cooking equipment is being used.

Holiday Home Safety Tip #3: Practice Fireplace & Candle Safety

Nothing is cozier than sitting around a warm fireplace or relaxing by candlelight, but if you don’t practice proper fireplace and candle safety, you could end up starting a fire in your home. Follow these guidelines:

• Don’t leave your fireplace or candles unattended. For extra security, check your carbon monoxide and smoke detector batteries each month, especially during winter months.
• Clear the area. Watch out for anything flammable around your candles or fireplace, including curtains, decorations, stockings, etc.
• Only burn dry, cured wood. Don’t use treated paper like glossy magazines or wrapping paper to start a fire. Avoid using any chemicals like lighter fluid or gasoline.

Holiday Home Safety Tip #4: Keep Walkways Clear & Dry

Slip-and-fall accidents increase during the winter months, and in addition to leading to painful injuries, they can also be a liability. These slip-and-fall prevention tips could help protect you and your family:

• Clear walkways. Clear any snow, ice, wet leaves, etc. in the walkways leading up to your house.
• Provide indoor and outdoor mats. Having a place for people to wipe off their feet can help prevent the floors from becoming wet and slippery.
• Promptly clean up spills. Don’t leave spills unattended. Instead, ask someone else to get something to dry up the spill while you guard the area. Thoroughly dry the area before letting guests through.

At Grange Insurance Association, it’s not just your safety that’s important to us. We also want to make sure you’re financially protected from common claims. Learn more about our insurance coverage options and check out our insurance blog, where we cover topics like how to avoid liability during holiday parties and what you need to know about dog bite coverage.`

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