The Holidays are a magical time. Decorating the house, picking out the perfect Christmas tree, and spending time with friends and loved ones all add joy to this special time of year. Take time to double check decorations and ensure that you’ve taken proper precautions to prevent fire and emergencies inside, and outside the home. Whether the house is all ready for the Holidays, or there’s still plenty to do, use these tips to make sure your home and family stay safe.

Decorating

• Using a real tree this Christmas? Water it daily to prevent a fire from ruining your Holidays.
• Tree ornaments should be kept out of reach of children.
• Using candles to set the mood in your home? Flameless candles are the way to go to avoid accidental fires.
• If decorating involves a ladder to reach high places, make sure the ladder is on stable ground, and always have a helper.
• Head out for the evening, or the weekend, with Holiday decorations on automatic timers. If heading out of town for a long period, opt for an artificial tree or have a neighbor water a real tree to avoid a fire.
• Don’t overload a circuit with too many plugs. Use this overload calculator if you aren’t certain.

In the Kitchen

• Helpers in the kitchen are great! Make sure all hands are washed and ready to work before any cooking begins.
• Keep uncooked meats away from other foods, and off of porous surfaces, to avoid foodborne illness and cross contamination.
• Perishable foods such as poultry, meat and casseroles should not sit out longer than two hours.
• Do not leave knives, breakable dishes, or drinks within reach of children in the kitchen.
• Pay attention and avoid being distracted while chopping and slicing. While this might be hard with friends or family about, chop ingredients before visitors arrive and leave the easy cooking for later.

Pets

• Did you know certain Holiday plants are toxic to pets? Decorating with fresh plants can be beautiful, but don’t put anything at pet level that can cause them harm.
• If your pet loves the Holidays, especially the Christmas tree, make sure the ornaments are high enough and out of reach.
• Does your cat love to hang out in the tree? As cute as it can be, avoid choking hazards such as small ornaments and tinsel to keep them safe.
• If a pet is hanging around the kitchen waiting for scraps, make sure to know what can be harmful to their health.
• Some pets do not fare well during the noise of Holiday parties. Acclimate your pet to a specific room in the house that can be theirs during the party, and keep them tucked away before company arrives to keep them calm.

Home Preparation

• Inspect all flues and chimneys before sitting in front of the fireplace and basking in the warmth.
• Clean furnace filters before use to avoid overheating the fan. This will also help the furnace run efficiently to prevent higher energy bills.
• Remove all curtains, furniture and other items from heat registers and air return ducts to prevent blockage and fire.
• Check air and dryer vents to avoid carbon monoxide build up inside the home.
• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working condition with charged batteries. By keeping the cold out of your house, you might also be keeping toxic air in, so be prepared with extra help from the detectors.
• If you and your family are heading out for the Holidays, find more home safety tips here to make sure your home stays safe while you’re gone.

We wish you a bright and happy Holiday season full of friends, family, and fun!

Visit the Oakland County website for more for more news and safety tips all year round. Follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest using #OaklandCounty.