The Christmas season is a time for celebrating with friends and family and of course decorating your home to fit the festive bill. Before you dig out those old fairy lights and blow the dust off your favourite decorations, take a moment to check everything is in working order as the yuletide can bring with it a lot of potential hazards.
In Britain it is estimated that around 80,000 people will be involved in accidents in their own home each year over Christmas, many of them caused by careless placement of decorations. In order to stay safe and sound, practice a few preventative measures when decking the halls and ensure a safe and trouble free holiday time for everyone.
There are plenty of simple and practical ways to avoid Christmas mishaps, none of which require a great deal of effort, so it really couldn’t be easier to play it safe. A good starting point is the sparkling fairy lights that adorn trees across the nation every December.
Firstly, think about exactly how long you’ve had your fairy lights for. If you can’t remember it’s probably a sign that it’s time for a new set. Christmas tree lights that have seen four seasons or more should be checked for loose, frayed or bare wires and damaged or cracked plugs. If any of these apply then ditch the defective dazzlers and invest in a new set. And remember, once you’ve put the lights up, their wires should be kept neat and tidy to avoid potential trips and falls.
Believe it or not the Christmas tree itself can pose a potential threat, especially if placed too close to a fire. If you opt for a live, cut tree take a look at the needles before you buy. If the needles are brown or break easily, this is often a sign the tree isn't fresh and it therefore poses a greater fire risk.
In addition, once you’ve got a nice, fresh tree back home make sure you place it in a sturdy, non-tip stand filled with water so it doesn’t topple over easily and stays hydrated. Dehydrated Christmas trees can catch fire more easily, therefore it’s important to keep water levels topped up. It goes without saying that you should keep trees away from heat sources as much as possible, with an ideal distance of at least three feet.
With the inside of the home taken care of, you just need to make sure the outside is in good shape too. Clean gutters, check and repair roof tiles and secure any cracked or damaged windows to make sure your home is protected from the perils of the coldest season.
Furthermore, having a
home and contents insurance policy in place is essential in case any accidents do occur. And once you have this in place, you can truly relax safe in the knowledge that your home is protected from top to bottom against everything Christmas throws its way.
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Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
