The holiday season is just around the corner. A time for us to gather with family and friends, share scrumptious meals along with fond memories, and to give something of yourself to help those who are struggling with life issues.
No matter how you spend your time from November through mid-January, safety should be of paramount importance as there’s so much that can go wrong during the holidays. Like a fire in the oven. Electric shock from a frayed wire or extension cord. Frozen pipes and subsequent basement flooding. Stolen personal belongings while your house is empty.
So where do you start to stop holiday mishaps in their tracks? How about with home decorating.
Nothing makes a home feel festive and inviting like holiday decorations. But some are better and safer for large gatherings than others.
- If using real candles, keep them a safe distance from anything flammable and out of reach of children and pets.
- For a safer option, use flameless LEDs that give off just the right amount of light without posing a fire hazard.
- Avoid decorations that look like food so as not to tempt small children and furry companions.
- Inspect string lights and extension cords for damage. Toss any with frayed wiring and loose connections. And always look for a seal that states they’ve been tested and approved by a nationally recognized testing lab such as UL.
For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. But all that extra hustle and bustle around the holidays can turn it into a recipe for disaster.
- Don’t leave home while cooking your Thanksgiving turkey, or anything else for that matter. Never leave food on the stove or in the oven unattended.
- Set a timer on your phone, watch, or smart home device so you’ll remember to check on cooking progress periodically.
- Keep small children and pets away from the stove and any hot food or liquids.
- Keep cords from hand-held and small appliances like electric skillets, plate warmers, and electric knives from dangling off counters and tables where small hands could grab them.
Traveling instead of hosting this Thanksgiving? If so, follow a few simple yet important precautionary measures to ensure that after vacation, your home is just as you left it.
- Ask a friend, family member, or neighbor to check on your home periodically. Have them bring the mail in and turn a few lights on so your home doesn’t look empty. Or invest in an automated lighting systems – they’re great year-round money savers
- If you don’t have someone who can bring the mail in, put a hold on it with your post office. Nothing says “empty house” like a week’s worth of overflowing mail.
- As we head into the colder months, remember to leave the heat set to at least 56 degrees. Should the temps dip below freezing while you’re away, you won’t come home to frozen and burst pipes.
- Prevent water damage to your home and valuables by turning off the main water supply line. Repair and clean-up costs could be enough to gag you.
For even greater security and safety, contact Eagle Service Company today to schedule a whole-house plumbing inspection and heating system check-up. Whether home or away, you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing everything is working as it should be. It’s the kind of peace of mind we provide in abundance.
