
December is a month of celebration, but it also brings unique challenges for homeowners. Between holiday decorations, colder weather, and increased indoor activities, your home faces a higher risk of safety hazards. Here are some practical and often-overlooked steps you can take to ensure your home stays safe this season.
1. Inspect Your Seasonal Decorations Holiday lights and decorations pose serious risks if not used responsibly. Before plugging in lights or inflatable decorations, inspect their cords for fraying, cracks, or exposed wires. These small damages can easily ignite a fire or cause electrical shorts. Invest in LED lights with a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label, which operate at lower temperatures and are safer for prolonged use.
2. Keep Your Fireplace Ready A roaring fire might be cozy, but a neglected fireplace is an invitation for disaster. Clear out old ashes, and have your chimney professionally cleaned if you haven’t done so this year. Creosote buildup inside a chimney is highly flammable and a common cause of winter house fires.
3. Choose Safe Candle Practices Candles set a festive mood, but they’re one of the leading causes of home fires in December. Avoid placing candles near curtains, furniture, or other flammable materials. Better yet, choose flameless LED candles for the same warm glow without the risk.
4. Be Mindful of Overloaded Circuits It’s tempting to plug multiple devices and decorations into a single outlet, but overloading circuits is a serious fire hazard. Use surge protectors and avoid daisy-chaining power strips. Distribute decorations across different outlets to minimize strain on a single circuit.
5. Protect Against Winter Heating Hazards Portable space heaters are handy during cold snaps but require caution. Place them on flat, non-flammable surfaces and ensure they’re at least three feet away from anything that could catch fire. Opt for models with automatic shut-off features in case they tip over.
6. Test Your Alarms and Extinguishers Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are your first line of defense in an emergency. Replace old batteries and test each unit to ensure they’re functioning. Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher, ideally rated for all types of fires (ABC). Familiarize your family with its location and proper use.
7. Monitor Your Kitchen Habits Holiday cooking often means long hours in the kitchen. Never leave stovetops unattended, and keep flammable items like dish towels and oven mitts away from burners. Clean grease buildup from your range hood and stove to reduce fire risks.
By taking a proactive approach this December, you can safeguard your home from preventable hazards while enjoying the season’s festivities. A little attention to detail can make the difference between a joyful holiday and a regrettable incident.