Five Holiday Home Safety Tips

The holiday season is here and with it comes all the opportunities for decking the halls, hosting parties and spending time with family and friends.

But don’t let safety take a backseat during this time.  It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most dangerous time of the year if you’re not careful.

As a custom home builder in Ocala, Luetgert Development wants to remind you to be safe this holiday season. As you prepare to enjoy this time at home, consider these holiday home safety tips.

Watch Those Candles

Everyone loves the flickering light and warm glow that candles add to the festivities, but with their increased use comes an increase in risk. Did you know that the top three days for home fires caused by candles are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day? Never leave candles unattended, keep them away from children, and make sure you place them on stable surfaces.

Decorate Safely Using Ladders

As you get into the holiday spirit and decorate your house, be cautious with your ladder. Don’t be part of the 12,000 people who go to emergency rooms each year due to injuries from putting up holiday decorations.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about a third of those 12,000 involve someone falling from ladders or roofs while decorating outdoors.  Make sure your ladder goes all the way up to the roof and, if possible, get someone to hold the ladder for you.

Care for your Christmas Tree

Choosing a live Christmas tree for your home involves more than just getting the one with the perfect shape and height down at the tree lot. You’ve got to keep it watered, keep it away from heat sources and candles. Think of it as an investment. With proper care, it can last all season.

Keep the Party in the Kitchen

The kitchen is a very busy place during the holidays with all the family dinners, holiday baking and such.  Everyone, it seems, wants to be in on the action. Keep it that way by staying in the kitchen as foods are being cooked on top of the stove.  Unattended cooking is the leading contributor to cooking fires and fire deaths, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.

Don’t Play Around With Fire

Fire can quickly spread so make sure you and your family have a healthy respect for it, whether it’s in the fireplace or the outdoor fire pit. Christmas wrapping paper should never be tossed in the fire and neither should your old Christmas tree at seasons’ end. Outdoor gatherings around the fire pit are perfect for this time of year, but make sure you’re children are not left unattended.

What do you think about these holiday home safety tips? Keep these in mind to ensure a safe and happy holiday season this year.