Home Safety Tips for Christmas

The most joyous time of the year has almost arrived! It’s time to take the turkey out of the freezer, plug in the Christmas lights and cuddle into the couch with a hot cup of cocoa in front of the fire. With all the Christmas traditions you may have planned with your family, it’s often easy to forget the safety provisions you should take before welcoming guests into your home. The big day is often full of excitement and distractions which can cause accidents if you’re not careful. Consider the following precautions when it comes to Christmas decorating and entertaining:

Christmas Lights

• Absolutely beautiful decorations, but they can also be a hazard. Before stringing them up, ensure there are no broken bulbs, fraying cords or loose connections.
• Turn the lights off before going to bed. This can be hard to remember, so there are solutions. You can buy an automatic timer to plug into the lights that will turn them off at a certain time. Newer lights actually will come with this timer built in.
• Remember to use environment-appropriate lights. Outdoor lights get too hot for inside use and inside lights can’t stand up to our cold Canadian winters. Make sure to read the box carefully before you purchase your Christmas lights.

Christmas Tree

• If you are setting up an artificial tree that lights up, it’s important to turn off the lights when unattended and ensure the connection to the wall is secure. As cords get older, they tend to fray and have loose connections, so it is important to check them carefully each season.
• If your family enjoys displaying a real Christmas tree in your home, it’s important to make sure you buy a fresh tree. The fresher the tree, the less flammable it is. Keep your tree well-watered to ensure it doesn’t dry out and become a fire hazard.

Christmas Decorations

• Always use a ladder when decorating your home and tree to ensure safety. Use the buddy system and get someone to hold it steady for you.
• Don’t attach one extension cord to another. Only use a cord that is long enough to reach the full length so you don’t overload a socket.

Christmas Safety

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Perform your annual furnace check or hire someone to do it to ensure your home is heating and ventilating properly. When doing this, check that the area around your furnace system is decluttered.
• Test your fireplace before the big day. If you have a gas fireplace and the glass is cracked, broken or removed, do not use it. Hire a registered professional to fix it before your guests arrive or make due with the fireplace channel this year! Your guests will understand that safety comes first.

Once you’ve checked over your home carefully, it’s time to start the party! We hope you have a fun, safe and relaxing holiday season surrounded by loved ones.

Merry Christmas Calgary!