The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, we also see a significant rise in home-related accidents. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 14,800 people treated in hospital emergency departments due to holiday decorating-related injuries during last year’s pre-festivities. Fires, electrical mishaps, slips and falls, and kitchen accidents top the list of common incidents during the holiday season. As the director of care management at Village Medical™, here are my top tips for keeping your home safe during the holidays.
Preventing Slips and Falls
- Keep walkways clear. Make sure toys, wrapping paper and other items are picked up.
- Use non-slip mats. Mats and rugs are common culprits for falls. In slippery areas where you must have a mat or rug, be sure it lays nicely on the floor and has a non-slip backing.
- Snow and ice removal. Keep outdoor walkways free from snow and ice. Placing salt on high-traffic areas helps prevent ice from building up.
- Make sure your home is well-lit. Replace any burnt-out bulbs immediately and consider adding lamps or additional lighting to dark areas in your home.
Kitchen Safety
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking. According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen.
- Keep flammable items away from the stove. This includes dish towels, oven mitts, and wooden utensils.
- Use a timer. This helps prevent overcooking, burning and potential fires.
Fire Prevention and Safety
- Choose flame-resistant or flame-retardant decorations. These products are designed to resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
- Keep decorations away from heat sources. Position trees, paper decorations, and other flammable items away from fireplaces, heaters and candles. If you put up a live tree, remember to keep it watered to prevent it from drying out and catching fire.
- Never leave candles unattended. If you must use candles, never leave them burning when you go to bed or leave the house. Better yet, opt for battery-operated candles.
- Fire Extinguishers. Make sure you have at least one fire extinguisher in your home and be sure to check the expiration date.
Electrical Safety
- Inspect all lights before using them. Look for frayed wires, broken sockets, and loose connections. Replace any damaged lights immediately.
- Don't overload circuits. Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
- Turn off all lights before you go to bed or leave the house. This simple step can prevent a potential fire.
Use the tips above and take a moment to look over your house to check for potential safety hazards. A few minutes of your time may prevent a serious injury or accident this holiday season. See the infographic below for ideas to keep your home safe all year round.
