- Candles make beautiful decorations and may even be part of your celebratory tradition. If you choose to light candles this holiday season remember to extinguish them before leaving the house or going to bed. Flammable materials should be kept well back from lit candles – including dried greenery. Look for flame resistant options instead.
- Every year local Fire Department warns people of the danger of burning gift wrap. This colorful paper could start a serious chimney fire that leaves you and your family on the sidewalk, in a hotel or worse - the hospital. The inked used to create the colors in wrapping paper can react with the heat. Gift wrap has a lot more in common with fireworks than we give it credit for.
- Putting up decorative lights is certainly festive but can also be the root of a number of hazards. Remember to inspect all electrical wiring for damage, never overload a power outlet, and make sure electrical cords aren’t creating a tripping hazard. All electronic decorations should be turned off before leaving the house or going to bed.
- If a big home cooked meal is part of your plans remember not to leave the kitchen when something is cooking. Unattended cooking appliances and equipment is the #1 cause of home cooking fires. (NFPA)
- Theft increases in December. Be sure to lock your home, vehicle, and outbuildings. Many thefts are opportunity based. Don’t leave your wallet and small valuables near doors or in view of front windows. Break down boxes and dispose of them in a manner that doesn’t advertise what wonderful gifts you received. Cutting up cardboard and positioning it so the wording faces in rather than out can reduce your chances of being a target.
Lastly, don’t forget to update your home inventory and call your Independent Insurance Agent to talk about your Valuable Items Coverage!
