18 Dec Holiday Entertaining Safety
The holiday season has arrived! At this time of year, we’re so glad to have the company of our family and closest friends. We’re gathering around the fireplaces, sharing our favorite holiday dishes, and stringing up the lights.
When Walking in Your Winter Wonderland…
- Never run cords under carpeting, bedding, or other combustible materials.
- Don’t run cords across doorways or frequently traveled areas.
- Discard frayed or broken cords and never splice two cords together.
- Never overload outlets or use extension cords in place of outlets.
- Purchase lamps and fixtures certified by underwriter’s laboratories (UL)
- Make sure to use the right light bulb wattage for all lamps and fixtures.
- Ensure plugs fit snugly in outlets to prevent shock and excess heat.
When You’re Decking the Halls…
- Never run cords under carpeting, bedding, or other combustible materials.
- Don’t run cords across doorways or frequently traveled areas.
- Discard frayed or broken cords and never splice two cords together.
- Never overload outlets or use extension cords in place of outlets.
- Purchase lamps and fixtures certified by underwriter’s laboratories (UL)
- Make sure to use the right light bulb wattage for all lamps and fixtures.
- Ensure plugs fit snugly in outlets to prevent shock and excess heat.
When Heading for Some Homemade Pumpkin Pie…
- Never leave a burner unattended.
- Keep smoke alarms in good working order.
- Clean and maintain vents, stovetops, countertops, and oven interiors.
- Watch children closely & teach them about fire safety ahead of time.
When You Hang the Stockings by the Chimney with Care…
- Always check that your flue is open before starting a fire and close the flue only after the fire is completely extinguished and all embers are cool.
- Install a wire mesh screen at the opening of your fireplace and keep it closed to prevent embers or sparks from escaping.
- Use only dry seasoned wood; never use freshly cut or green wood.
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned once a year, even if you have a gas fireplace.
- Clean ash and soot out of your chimney regularly so there is never more than 1 inch of buildup.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home – especially when using a gas fireplace.
- Have a professional install a “safety pilot” on gas fireplaces to detect when a gas line becomes too cold or carbon monoxide has built up and to automatically shut the heating unit off.
When You’re Rocking Around the Christmas Tree…
- If you’re hosting a party, consider hosting at a restaurant or bar, because the liability will fall on that establishment.
- Stop serving drinks an hour before the party is ending.
- Serve food for the duration of your party.
- Have someone who can act as the designated driver for guests who may need one.
- Be prepared for the unexpected.
- Despite doing everything you can to keep your guests safe, the unseen may still happen, and as much as we hope that it doesn’t, we don’t want you to be caught unaware and unable to protect yourself.
- We urge you to speak with one of our agents about your current coverage and how we can ensure that you’re getting the best coverage for the best price!
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