It is that time of year again. Time to put up those Christmas lights and decorate your home or business with all the beloved seasonal treasures, decorations, and wreaths you’ve collected over the years. These things will help your family and employees get in the Christmas spirit and that is so important, especially in these difficult times we are going through. However, if not used properly, decorations, especially lights and candles, can create hazards that can turn your happy holiday into a Christmas nightmare. Here at National Protective Services, Inc., we want you, your family, and your business to stay safe and secure this holiday season. We have put together these helpful holiday tips to make sure this Christmas season is a merry one.
Decoration and Fire Safety
Christmas lights truly make your home beautiful, but they also cause 770 house fires every year according to the National Fire Protection Association. Don’t become a statistic! Follow these tips to help keep your family safe this holiday season. Consider replacing old, outdated lights with energy-efficient LED lights. Not only will you save on your electric bill, but they run cooler and create less of a fire hazard. Make sure the wiring is not damaged or frayed. Frayed or damaged wiring can spark a fire. Place your Christmas tree in water or wet sand to keep it from drying out. A dry tree becomes brittle and is more susceptible to catching fire. Never throw wrapping paper in the fireplace and make sure to never put items near the fireplace to avoid the potential of causing a fire. Pay attention to indoor or outdoor use labels to make sure you are using the correct lights in the correct setting. Always turn off your lights or decorations before bedtime or set an automatic timer. Not only will you conserve energy, you also won’t run the risk of a potential fire while you are asleep. Keep an eye on candles and fireplace fires and make sure to extinguish them before leaving the house or going to bed. Remain vigilant when preparing those delicious holiday meals and keep potholders and food wrappers at least three feet away from your oven and stove. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide sensors to make sure they work and replace batteries as needed. Know where your exits are located and hold regular fire drills that include at least two evacuation routes from every area or building to your preidentified safe spot to protect those in your home or business. Never prop open self-closing doors because they are designed to keep fires and flames from spreading should a fire occur. Be sure to keep exits and doorways free from obstruction at all times. While doing a walk-through as part of our free consultation, National Protective Services will identify potential safety hazards and discuss ways to address them.
Avoiding Stranger Danger
Fires are not the only hazard you may encounter during the holidays. There are other precautions you can take to keep your home or business safe. Consider installing motion or lighting sensors that turn off when no one is around. This will help save on your electric bill while maintaining well-lit areas. Replace any broken outside lights or notify the property manager of any broken lights so that they can be replaced to keep the area safe and well-lit. NPS can help protect your business by installing surveillance cameras in strategic areas. We can monitor these cameras in real-time and notify the appropriate channels immediately of any suspicious activity observed on site. In the event of the crime, our recorded playback can help identify the offender and be verified and used in court should that become necessary. Let strangers who knock on your door know that you are home without opening the door to help prevent the possibility of becoming the victim of crime or burglary. It is not unusual for people to take advantage of the generosity of others during the holidays by soliciting donations door-to-door for charitable causes that don’t actually exist. Ask for identification and find out how donations will be used. If it seems sketchy to you, follow your instincts, and instead donate to a recognized charitable organization. Also be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. Look for marked mail delivery vehicles and be wary if you don’t see one. If you plan on leaving for an extended stay, have a neighbor collect your mail and put your lights on an automatic timer to keep up the pretense of someone being at home or onsite. Leaving a radio or television on will also make the house look and sound occupied. Make sure to lock doors and windows when you leave the premises, even if just for a few minutes and make sure large displays of holiday gifts are not visible from the outside.
National Protective Services Wishes You a Joyous Holiday Season
The holidays should be a joyous, wonderful time. These tips will help ensure that you, your family, and employees have a safe, happy holiday season. For more holiday safety tips visit National Protective Service’s website at www.npsva.com and check out our latest articles. While you’re at it, schedule a free consultation for your business and see just how we will protect you like family. NPS wishes you and yours a safe and happy holiday season.
- For additional safety tips check out the National Safety Counsel’s Article Link Below.
https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/winter-safety/holiday