Holiday Safety Tips: Keep Your Home Safe and Secure This Season

By the Mercury Team

From traveling to see family to planning and hosting the perfect party, the holiday season is undoubtedly one of the busiest times of the year. With so much happening, it’s easy to overlook some of the potential risks that come with all the festive fun — kitchen fires, burglaries, and even accidents involving decorations. The good news? A little preparation goes a long way.

Let’s go through some simple and practical tips to help you protect your home, your loved ones, and your peace of mind this holiday season.

Fire Safety During the Holidays

The holidays are all about creating a cozy, magical vibe, but with all the lights, candles, and cooking, you may forget about fire safety. Be sure to keep these preventive measures in mind so you can keep your home safe and fire-free.

Preventing Fire Hazards from Decorations

Holiday decorations bring so much joy, but they can also be hazardous if you’re not careful. Here’s how to keep things festive and fire-safe:

• Choose decorations wisely: Look for items labeled as fire-resistant or flame-retardant when you’re shopping for holiday décor.
• Inspect electrical cords: Before hanging string lights or plugging in festive displays, look at the cords for any fraying, cracks, or damage. Faulty cords can cause sparks or overheating.
• Avoid overloading outlets: Don’t plug multiple decorations into one outlet since this can overheat the circuit. Use power strips with surge protectors to safely spread out the load.
• Be smart about candles: Candles add a gorgeous ambiance, but keep them at least a foot away from flammable objects like curtains, furniture, or holiday greenery. Consider using flameless LED candles for a safer option.

Safe Practices for Holiday Cooking

Cooking is such a huge part of the holidays — whether it’s a big family feast or just baking cookies with the kids. However, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of house fires, so be sure to stay safe this season with these tips:

• Stay in the kitchen: It’s so easy to get distracted when you’re hosting or running around wrapping presents, but leaving the stove or oven unattended is a big mistake. If you have to step away, turn off the burners.
• Keep kids out of harm’s way: Create a “kid-free zone” by keeping children at least three feet away from stoves, ovens, and hot appliances.
• Manage flammable items: Keep items like dish towels, oven mitts, paper products, and wooden utensils far from open flames or heating elements.
• Be mindful of grease fires. If a grease fire happens, don’t use water to extinguish it since water can cause the oil to splatter and spread the fire. Instead, smother the fire with a lid or use a fire extinguisher.

Securing Your Home Against Theft During the Holidays

The holiday season is a prime time for thieves to strike. With so many people traveling, ordering gifts online, and hosting gatherings, your home and packages can be easy targets for criminals to capitalize on. However, a few smart moves can help keep your home safe so you can focus on what really matters.

Protecting Your Home While Traveling

If you’re heading out of town for the holidays, you want to make sure your home looks occupied. Here’s how to keep things secure while you’re away:

• Use light timers: Setting a few lamps to turn on and off at different times makes it look like someone’s home. It’s a simple way to make your house less of a target.
• Pause your mail and deliveries: A stuffed mailbox or packages sitting on your porch are dead giveaways that nobody’s home. Put mail on hold or ask a neighbor to pick it up for you.
• Let a neighbor in on the plan. Speaking of neighbors, let a trusted one know you’ll be away. They can keep an eye out and even take care of things like shoveling snow or moving trash bins.
• Consider a security system: Even a basic home security setup, like a doorbell camera, can do wonders to deter potential thieves. Plus, many systems let you check in on your home from your phone, so you can relax knowing everything’s okay.

Staying Safe While Hosting Holiday Gatherings

If you’re playing host this season, security might not be at the top of your mind, but it should be. With guests coming and going, you need to keep your home and belongings secure. Here are some tips to consider:

• Secure your valuables: Before guests arrive, stash things like electronics, jewelry, and important documents in a safe place. It’s one less thing to worry about during the party.
• Lock your doors and windows. With all the excitement, it’s easy to forget to double-check locks. Make sure everything is secure, even if you’re using multiple entry points.
• Set boundaries. Politely let guests know if certain areas are off-limits. Most people will appreciate clear instructions and respect your space.

Childproofing and Pet Safety for the Holidays

The holidays are an exciting time for kids and pets alike, but all the shiny decorations, new smells, and unfamiliar items can create unexpected hazards. Luckily, you can keep your home festive and safe for your little ones—whether they’re two-legged or four-legged.

Childproofing Your Holiday Decorations

Here are some tips to help make your holiday décor safe and kid-friendly:

• Secure your ornaments: Fragile ornaments don’t mix well with curious little hands. Hang delicate or breakable ones higher on the tree, and use shatterproof ornaments for the lower branches.
• Beware of choking hazards: Decorations like miniature ornaments or loose pieces can be choking hazards. Keep an eye out for anything small enough to fit in a child’s mouth.
• Skip the risky plants: Skip the risky plants. Poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly might be holiday classics, but they can be toxic if kids decide to sample them. Go for faux versions or keep them well out of reach.

Pet-Friendly Holiday Safety Tips

Let’s take a look at how to keep your furry companions safe this holiday season:

• Keep decorations out of reach: Tinsel, ribbons, and ornaments might look like the perfect toys to your pet, but they can cause serious issues if chewed or swallowed. Stick to pet-safe décor and secure anything that dangles.
• Hide those cords: Pets love to chew, and they might be eyeing those electrical cords. Use cord protectors, tape them down, or tuck them behind furniture to avoid accidents.
• Watch the food: Foods like chocolate, alcohol, and anything high in fat can be toxic for pets. Make sure plates of food and drinks are kept away from curious paws, and stick to pet-safe treats instead.

Insurance Tips for Holiday Protection

With all these potential incidents in mind, it’s worth taking a moment to make sure your homeowners insurance has you covered. It’s there to help when life brings the unexpected, covering things like fire damage, stolen belongings, or repairs after an emergency. It’s your safety net, giving you one less thing to worry about during an already busy season.

Now’s a great time to review your policy and double-check your coverage. If you’re not sure what’s included, reach out to your insurance provider, and they’ll walk you through it. And if you’re looking for better rates, consider exploring cheap homeowners insurance options that fit your needs and budget.

Conclusion

’Tis the season to be jolly, but staying safe is just as important as hanging the decorations or baking cookies. Taking simple precautions like the ones mentioned above can help keep your home safe and free from disaster.

Don’t forget about homeowners insurance, either. At Mercury, we provide best-in-class coverage at an affordable rate because we believe protecting your home and loved ones shouldn’t break the bank.

Contact us today for a fast, free quote!