Home Safety During the Holidays
Disclosure: This is a sponsored article on behalf of Armed Forces Insurance (AFI) in collaboration with SoFluential Media.
The holidays may be stressful for many people. There is much to do and much to remember and add to that the worry of keeping your home and family safe. Certainly, the stress is heightened during this time of year because no one wants to experience a tragedy right before Christmas.
The good news is there are steps you can take to keep your family safe. Home safety is always paramount and home safety during the holidays is a must. Check out these tips:
Don’t leave candles burning.
I love candles because they smell good and make the house feel cozy, but I have to be careful and make sure I always blow them out before I leave the house. Leaving a candle burning while you are not home is an easy way to start a fire. While many homeowner and renter insurance policies will cover a fire, preventing one in the first place is the best option.
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Utilize proper power cords and lights for indoor and outdoor decorating.
One of the best aspects of the season are the beautiful decorations and lights. Make sure yours are strung up safely. It is important to buy the appropriate power cords for any holiday lighting. The plugs should be in good condition and suitable for the way you intend to use them. Extra extension cords are relatively inexpensive, so don’t try to save money by using the wrong types of cords. You should also confirm that any lights you put up outside are made for outdoor use.
Use timers on your lights.
Using timers on your lights is a good idea for several reasons. You can save on your electric bill by having the lights turn off at a specific time every day, and you get peace of mind by not having to worry about forgetting to turn them off. If you plan on going out of town this holiday season, using a timer on your regular lights will deter burglars by making it appear that someone is at home.
Unplug the lights on your Christmas tree.
Always unplug the lights on your Christmas tree before you leave the house and before you go to bed. This is especially important if you have a live tree. If you have an artificial tree, make sure it is fire retardant.
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