5 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe This Holiday Season

December 04, 2023

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While the holiday season is festive and fun, it can also be filled with chaos—especially if you have excitable children who are waiting with bated breath for Santa’s arrival. In the blink of an eye, the thrill of the season can lead to candle mishaps, overturned space heaters, frozen pipes, and even the need for emergency HVAC service. Yikes!

Here at A.J. Perri, we have kids, pets, and visiting relatives, too. So, we know a little bit about that chaos. This year, we’re gifting you our years of experience and sharing our best holiday tips for keeping your home safe.

Here are five great ways to keep your home and family safe this season:

1. Be Mindful of Holiday Lights

   Practicing proper safety with holiday lighting is essential. Keep these things in mind:

   • Examine lights before displaying and toss any that have exposed wires.
   • Use energy-efficient LED lights over incandescent bulbs.
   • Don’t use nails, staples, or tacks to attach light strings.
   • Keep cords away from water.
   • Keep extension cords out of traffic paths.
   • Plug lights into power strips.
   • Don’t put electric lights on a metal tree.
   • Turn lights off when you leave your home.

2. Be Safe with Space Heaters

   According to a 2023 report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 1,700 house fires a year are caused from space heaters. In our eyes, that’s 1,700 too many! Here are some safety reminders to keep in mind if you use a portable heater:

   • Don’t leave space heaters unattended.
   • Unplug units when not in use.
   • Keep flammable items at least three feet from your heater.
   • Keep space heaters away from pets and children.

3. Don’t Let Your Pipes Freeze

   Most homeowners would agree that there’s nothing worse than needing to call for an emergency plumber when you think you may have frozen pipes. Fortunately, there are several ways to help prevent them.

   • Insulate pipes using pipe insulation.
   • Disconnect garden hoses from outside spigots.
   • Close outdoor faucets with cut-off valves and drain faucets.
   • Caulk and seal cracks near pipes that might let cold air indoors.
   • Allow a slow drip from your faucet on super cold days (this keeps water flowing without freezing).

4. Be Sensitive to Those with Food Allergies

   Nothing ruins a festive gathering faster than a severe allergy reaction. If you cook with nuts or other common food allergens, be sure to alert your guests of ingredients that could pose potential health issues. It’s also a good idea to read food labels prior to serving friends who might have food allergies.

5. Practice Candle Safety

   Sure, candles smell good and add ambiance with their flickering light and soft glow—but they can also be quite the fire hazard. Remember these tips:

   • Never leave candles unattended.
   • Blow candles out when not in use or when you leave home.
   • Keep candles on a sturdy, flat surface.
   • Keep candles out of reach of small children and pets.
   • Consider using battery-operated candles.
   • Keep candles three feet from anything flammable, including loose wrapping paper.

Need a Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer?

As the end of the year draws closer, and the weather gets chillier, don’t forget that A.J. Perri is here for all your winter home service needs. Whether you’re in need of furnace repair before that big holiday gathering or simply want to schedule water heater maintenance so your showers stay warm, we’re always here for you. Call us today at 732.733.2541 to schedule your appointment!