It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The holiday season is a joyous and busy time, but it comes with its share of risks. So here are 9 safety tips to ensure this holiday season stays festive for everyone.
1. Kitchen safety
Never leave your cooking and baking unattended. Every cook knows it's easy to get distracted in the kitchen especially around the holidays. Keep an eye on open flames—cooking fires can break out when you leave your cooking (and baking) unattended. So always make sure that someone’s in the kitchen, especially if you’re using oil or cooking at high temperatures.
If your pot or pan catches fire, you can smother the flames by carefully sliding a tight-fitting lid over the pot, then safely turn off the heat. Here are more tips for holiday cooking safety.
If you don't already have one, now is the time to purchase a fire extinguisher for your kitchen. Keep in mind that there are different types of fire extinguishers, so be sure to get one appropriate for kitchens. If you already have one, good for you! But make sure it's in working condition by inspecting your extinguisher annually. Here are more helpful tips on fire safety with a video on how to operate a fire extinguisher.
2. Inspect your cords
Before you decorate your window or tree with festive electric lights, have a good look at your light cords. Are they frayed or damaged? Time to replace them. You can usually recycle old string lights and electronics near you. Here’s a list of recycling centers in the Bay Area. Meantime, if you’re using an extension cord, use it wisely. Only use them as a temporary connection. Never tuck an extension cord under your rug as this can damage the cord and cause a fire.
3. Fireplace safety
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, it’s a good idea to hire a chimney sweep to reduce the chance of a chimney fire. You'll also want to keep your Christmas gifts and boxes at least three feet away from your fireplace as they’re highly combustible.
Watch that your stockings don’t hang near the fire. Always use your safety screen and keep a fire extinguisher nearby just in case. And don’t toss garbage or wrapping paper in the fire. There are additives in wrapping paper that make it burn at extremely high temperatures.
4. When you go out, blow out
Who doesn't love candles for setting that the perfect mood for a holiday celebration. Just remember to never leave candles unattended. Blow out all your candles before going out or heading to bed.
Be sure to keep lit candles away from children, pets and anything flammable like your holiday decorations, tree, curtains and upholstery. Make sure you store lighters and matches somewhere safe. Ensure they are safely kept where children cannot access.
5. Space heaters safety
Sometimes you need that extra heat to keep the chill off. Portable space heaters are a popular way to supplement central heating or heat one room. Space your heater at least 3 feet away from anything that could catch fire like your curtains, upholstery, blankets and holiday decorations. Never use an extension cord with your heater, because it can overheat the circuit, causing an electrical fire. For safest use, plug your space heater directly into an outlet and make sure it is the only thing plugged into that particular outlet. Never leave it unattended, or run it overnight.
6. Holiday tree
Whether you just cut your tree down yourself or bought a tree that has been sitting in a lot for a while, you absolutely must cut a fresh inch off the end of the trunk — a small handsaw will do the trick — before setting it up for display. This allows your tree to easily absorb the water it needs to stay fresh. Place your tree away from anything that could set it on fire or dry it out like heating vents, radiators, fireplaces and burning candles. Keep your tree well-hydrated by standing the base in a tree stand filled with water at all times, and check the water level daily.
8. Outdoor lights and displays
If you love to light up your yard, patios and balconies during the holidays, use lights that are clearly rated 'for outdoor use’. Indoor lights aren’t insulated from moisture and should not be used outdoors. If you’re climbing a ladder, get a spotter to help keep it sturdy, as ladder falls are a frequent emergency room injury during the holidays.
Don’t hang lights on nails or screws as they can puncture the lights. Instead, secure the lights with light clips you get from a hardware store. If you can’t access an outdoor electrical outlet, it’s best not to run the lights through windows or doors. Consider hanging lights inside the window which can look just as nice and festive.
9. Check your detectors
This one should always be on your safety list. Check your detectors regularly, preferably every month, but at least every 3 months. There should have smoke detectors on every level of your home, inside each bedroom and outside in the hallway. As a general rule, smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide detectors every seven years.
9. Entertain safely
You’ll likely have friends and family visiting during the holidays, so there are a few ways to make everyone safe. Make sure your sidewalks, paths and driveways are clear of debris. Set up good outdoor lighting so your guests can enter and leave without stumbling around in the dark.
Inside your home, tuck away electrical cords and other tripping hazards. Remove all choking hazards if your guests include children. During your party, keep drinking in check by offering water and non-alcoholic beverages. To prevent drinking and driving (which you could be held liable for), help to set your guests up with a taxi or ride-share, or invite them to stay the night. That might need some preplanning on your part by ensuring your guest bedroom is made up.
