The holiday season is filled with joy, gatherings, and festive decorations, but it’s also a time when your home faces unique safety challenges. From overloaded outlets to icy walkways, small oversights can quickly turn a merry holiday into a stressful situation. At Trademark Inspection Services, we want to ensure your home stays safe and sound while you enjoy the season.
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Here are some simple but effective tips to keep your home safe this holiday season:
Whether you’re illuminating the exterior of your home or adding sparkle to your tree, inspect all holiday lights for damaged cords or loose connections. Faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of holiday fires. Use LED lights, which stay cooler and are more energy-efficient, and never connect more than three strands to a single outlet.
If you’re bringing home a fresh tree, make sure it’s well-hydrated to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard. Place your tree at least three feet away from heat sources like radiators or fireplaces, and turn off the lights before you head to bed or leave the house. For artificial trees, confirm they’re labeled as flame-retardant.
Michigan winters bring ice and snow, which can make walkways and driveways treacherous. Regularly shovel and salt your property to keep it safe for family and guests. If you’re hosting, clear outdoor paths of snow and ensure all steps are well-lit for nighttime arrivals.
Severe weather can bring power outages or burst pipes. Stock up on essentials like flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit, and let faucets drip during extreme cold to prevent frozen pipes. If you have a generator, ensure it’s operating safely outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
With heaters, fireplaces, and ovens running longer during the holidays, it’s essential to ensure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are functioning. Replace old batteries and test all devices before the festivities begin.
From our family to yours, we wish you a happy, safe, and warm holiday season.
Follow the manufacturer’s limit printed on the packaging rather than a general rule — it varies by product, and exceeding it is how the wiring overheats.
They run cooler and draw less current, which helps on both counts. They still need to be rated for where you are using them, indoors or out.
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