'Tis the season for parties, shopping and celebrating. But what about a home safety checklist? Take a minute and make sure your home is safe and sound.
Plumbing
Take precautions when necessary. If you are heading out of town for the holidays, consider turning off the water main before you leave. It's no fun to return from a trip to find your kitchen flooded by a leak that started when you weren't home to catch it.
Sound the Alarm
Check your smoke detectors. More residental fires occur during the winter than at any other time of the year. Make sure you add fresh batteries to your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Holiday Decorations
Choose a fresh cut Christmas tree and make sure to water it daily. If not watered regularly the needles can dry out and pose a potential fire hazard. Also make sure to keep your tree away from space heaters, candles, fireplaces etc.
The incidence of candle fires is four times higher during December than other month. Make sure candles are sturdy and won't tip over. Never leave flames unattended.
Check the Lights
If decorating with string lights check them carefully and make sure they are not frayed or have loose bulbs that could short out and start a fire.
Plumbing
Take precautions when necessary. If you are heading out of town for the holidays, consider turning off the water main before you leave. It's no fun to return from a trip to find your kitchen flooded by a leak that started when you weren't home to catch it.
Sound the Alarm
Check your smoke detectors. More residental fires occur during the winter than at any other time of the year. Make sure you add fresh batteries to your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Holiday Decorations
Choose a fresh cut Christmas tree and make sure to water it daily. If not watered regularly the needles can dry out and pose a potential fire hazard. Also make sure to keep your tree away from space heaters, candles, fireplaces etc.
The incidence of candle fires is four times higher during December than other month. Make sure candles are sturdy and won't tip over. Never leave flames unattended.
Check the Lights
If decorating with string lights check them carefully and make sure they are not frayed or have loose bulbs that could short out and start a fire.
