Happy Holidays from team #MorseOfCourse! Between buying presents, decorating your home, and attending holiday parties, we know this can be a hectic time of year. But no matter how crazy things get, safety should always be a concern. Here at Morse Insurance, we want to help make your holiday one to remember, which is why we put together this guide full of important safety tips.
Christmas Tree Safety
Christmas tree, o Christmas tree…your branches aren’t just faithful, they’re also flammable. A beautifully decorated Christmas tree can be one of the most fun parts of the holiday season, but there are definitely things to consider to keep everything festive and safe.
Make sure your tree is not located near any heat sources, like your fireplace, radiators, or heating vents, especially if you’re using flammable decorations like garlands to dress your tree. If you’re using a real Christmas tree, make sure to water it daily — a dried out tree is far more likely to ignite than a properly cared for and well watered tree. And don’t forget to turn off all lights at night before going to bed or leaving your house!
Menorah and Candle Safety
Whether you’re lighting the Menorah for Hanukkah or just using candles to set a festive mood, remember that a live flame can be very dangerous. Make sure lit candles are not placed near any flammable items, like curtains, paper goods, clothing, or upholstered furniture. If there’s a chance it could be knocked over, move it to a more secure location. And of course, never leave a lit candle unattended!
Other Decoration Safety Tips
Be mindful of your children and pets as you get your holiday decorations out. Are there items that could pose a choking hazard? Make sure they are not in reach of tiny hands. Worried about having live flames? Try flameless LED candles instead. You should also be more careful with electrical cords during the holidays. With more lights and decorations, make sure cords are not in heavily trafficked areas and are not reachable by small children.
Holiday decorations can also pose a danger to your pets. Some flowers and festive plants, like mistletoe and holly, can be poisonous for pets when consumed. Similarly, tinsel and other decorations can be a hazard if swallowed. Make sure breakable ornaments are also out of reach.
Kitchen Safety
From Hanukkah cookies to a Christmas ham, food always plays a major part in the holidays. It also, unfortunately, poses a major fire risk around this time of year. The best tip to keep your kitchen safe is to never leave cooking food unattended. Clear your cooking space and remove any unnecessary clutter. Be mindful of flammable items like dish towels and oven mitts. Make sure to have a fire extinguisher handy as well.
Packages and Delivery Safety
Package theft becomes more of an issue around the holidays. There are many options available today to minimize this risk. If you’re expecting a package but aren’t home during the day, consider having it delivered to your office instead. You can also require a signature on delivery to make sure someone is there to receive the package in person. Some online retailers like Amazon also offer package lockers where you can pick up your package at your convenience using a unique code.
We hope these tips help everyone have a jolly and safe holiday season! Have more questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to a #MorseOfCourse agent today — call 508-238-0056 or visit our website at morseins.com today!