The holidays are a joyous time of year, and everyone loves to celebrate with their family and friends. However, it’s easy for holiday cheer to turn into holiday chaos if you aren’t careful. In most cases, common sense helps prevent accidents from happening. For example, if your house is too full of people or stuff—things like boxes or bags—that can cause someone to trip over something that should have been stored elsewhere. This can be dangerous not just for the person who falls but also for any furniture they may run into while trying desperately not to fall on their face!
Watch for overloaded outlets and power strips.
- You should never overload outlets by plugging too many appliances into them. If an outlet is overloaded, you could get a shock from touching the plug or from touching another object that’s plugged in to the same outlet. Also, this can cause a fire in your house.
- The same goes for power strips: don’t plug too many things into them! And remember to unplug any appliance that isn’t being used—like your blender and coffeemaker—to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards when you’re not using them.
- Don’t use extension cords that are longer than what they need to be; this could lead to overheating, which could also cause a fire hazard in your home during the holidays or any other time of year!
Be careful with your holiday lights.
You can reduce the risk of fire by using lights that are in good condition, rated for indoor or outdoor use, and appropriate for the length of cord.
- Choose LED lights over incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs so you can use fewer sockets to get your desired amount of light. If you want a more realistic look, choose a color temperature that closely matches the natural lighting conditions in your home.
Be aware of space heaters.
You should keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable and make sure that they are not left unattended. If you have small children or pets, you should consider getting a plug-in model instead of an electric space heater to avoid the risk of unintentional burns or fire.
Make sure candles are placed where they won’t be knocked over.
Don’t use candles that are too big for the holder. Candles should never be left burning unattended. If you’re not going to be in the room with a candle, turn it off!
Check the flame height before you light the candle and make sure it’s not too high. Don’t place candles where they can be knocked over by pets or children; they should also always be kept away from curtains and other fabric items that could easily catch fire if an ember falls onto them.
Use the right extension cords for the job.
When using extension cords, make sure they are the right type of cord and rated for the job you are doing. Check your extension cords before using them to make sure they’re not damaged or warn out. Look at the plug and make sure it isn’t frayed or cracked. If you notice any damage, don’t use that cord!
When buying an extension cord, look for one that has a heavy-duty rating and is made for indoor or outdoor use.
Be aware of outdoor decorations.
When decorating your outdoor space, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Make sure all of your lights are labeled as being appropriate for outdoor use.
- Do not place any decorations too close to power lines or other sources of electricity.
- Use extra caution when placing lights near walkways or driveways where people will be walking by them (and cars driving over them). It’s best to keep the lights at least 3 feet away from these areas so they don’t pose a hazard. This goes for inside and outside!
Everyone wants a safe and happy holiday season, so be sure to follow some of these simple tips.
- Be aware of how many people are in your home.
- Know what you are doing and what tools you are using.
- Be aware of what you are wearing when you work on your holiday decorations.
- Be aware of where you are standing when working with electrical equipment or power tools.
Now that you know what to do, all you have to do is put these tips into action. Don’t let your holiday season be ruined by an accident!