Holiday Home Safety Checklist

Icy sidewalks, burning candles and overloaded electrical plugs can make the holidays a lot less happy. But if you practice a little seasonal safety, you and your loved ones can have the healthy, peaceful, joyous holiday you deserve. 

Here are a few helpful tips for staying safe at home this season: 

Keep sidewalks, driveways and walkways clear. Your family, friends, and delivery people will definitely appreciate it! Check your snow clearing gear early in the season to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced – otherwise you’ll be fighting big crowds the day of the first big snowfall. 

Have a container of salt or sand handy. We like to keep ours in a decorative bin just outside the front door so we can salt the steps as soon as we notice they’re slippery. 

Be cautious with cords. In this merry season of light strings and extension cords, don’t overload outlets by plugging in too many things – overheating can mean blown circuits and fires. Don’t run cords under carpets or anyplace people might trip on them. And if anything is damaged (including ornaments), replace ‘em right away. 

Practice candle safety. Open flame is always a risk. Put candles in low-traffic areas where they won’t get knocked over, and keep them away from anything flammable – like paper tablecloths or decorations. Never leave candles burning when you leave the room. 

Practice tree safety. A dry tree is a fire hazard, so have the vendor cut a couple of inches off the trunk before you take it home so it absorbs water better. Keep it watered (check every day or two), make sure it’s at least 3 feet away from radiators or fireplaces, and secure it with a strong stand that keeps it upright. And if you have little folks or pets around, put breakable ornaments up high where they can’t be reached. 

Know which plants are toxic to pets. Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis are all poisonous to animals. Keep your fur babies safe by keeping plants out of reach – or don’t have them in your home at all. 

Give safe, age-appropriate gifts. Toys are age-rated for a reason. Don’t buy a young child anything meant for someone older. If in doubt, Google it! And if you’re buying a riding toy like a scooter, make sure your gift includes the appropriate safety gear. 

Drive sober. If you’re going to imbibe, make a plan before going out: designated driver, Uber or sleepover. And if you’re having guests in your home, offer up a driver or a place to crash – you don’t want anyone leaving your home impaired. 

Here’s to a safe and happy holiday season, from all of us at Steven Kim Group!