A few weeks ago, we let you know some of the best maintenance to perform to keep your home safe and comfortable through the winter. (A recap, in case you’ve forgotten: gutter cleaning, HVAC inspection, chimney cleaning, sealing up the interior, and checking emergency systems such as smoke detectors and alarms.)
This week, we’re going to talk about the kinds of habits you should maintain during the holidays to avoid easily preventable accidents, fires and damage.
Respect the roof
It’s a good idea to stay off your roof most of the time anyway, but winter makes it significantly more dangerous. Resist the urge to climb onto the roof to hang lights, and instead hire a pro.
This also means observing ladder safety rules carefully. If you’re doing anything that requires a ladder, whether hanging lights outside or putting the star on top of a huge holiday tree, take great care to avoid falls. Don’t climb higher than the ladder is rated, don’t try to stretch and reach just a couple of extra inches, and always have a buddy on the ground to hold and stabilize the ladder.
Take electricity seriously
It’s funny when Clark Griswold almost turns himself into a giant light-up holiday display in “Christmas Vacation,” but electricity is no joke in real life. The holidays tend to put a lot of strain on electrical systems, and overloading them can cause a fire hazard. Don’t plug too many items into a single outlet, and start unplugging them if they feel too warm to the touch. Try not to use multiple extension cords; the fewer extra connections, the better. Make sure any outdoor decorations are plugged into ground fault circuit interrupter outlets, which automatically shut off when they detect an electrical surge. If your circuit breaker goes off frequently, check how much is plugged into that particular circuit and rethink your arrangements.
Watch for tripping and other safety hazards
Nothing ruins a holiday quite like an emergency room visit. ER visits spike during December for a variety of reasons, nearly all of them connected to either winter or the holidays. Ensure your walkways are clear of ice, clutter and other impediments. Keep your sidewalks well lit at night. Indoors, take care that extension and electrical cords don’t pose a danger. Keep the wires out of walking paths, and secure all cords. Plastic floor conduits, zip ties or velcro fasteners can keep them neat, safe, and secure. (And as a bonus, it makes cleanup a lot easier at the end of the month.)
Keep all emergency contact info handy
Odds are that when something goes wrong, it will be at the worst possible moment. Before an emergency develops, make a list of all your regular contacts for emergency repairs, such as your preferred plumbers, electricians and HVAC companies. Don’t just rely on your phone’s memory; you might not be the one making the phone call and it saves time not to have to scrabble around. Write the numbers on a note and place it where everyone in the house knows where it is.
