Homeowner Safety Checklist

With less than a week to go until the big day, we are sure that you all are busy getting ready for Santa’s arrival. However, in the midst of all this preparation, we would like you to take a few minutes to go over this safety checklist we have prepared, to make sure that you can celebrate the holiday in complete comfort. Read on to find out more!

The first thing you can do to make sure that your home is ready for the holiday is to give your smoke detectors a quick test. This should be done every season, and what better time to do it than the holiday season? Also, be sure that you have a fire extinguisher handy, especially one that can put out grease fires. Cooking in the kitchen can get a little hectic with family all around, so be sure that you have the means to stay safe.

Speaking of fires, the leading cause of them during this season is an improper use of lights. Always use a surge protector when putting up lights, and never connect more than 3 to a single strand, unless the instructions say otherwise (perhaps Clark Griswold should have taken this advice). In addition, try not to use metal fasteners when hanging up lights—opt for plastic instead as they are not conductors of electricity. Take a moment to check your decorations, and make sure that they are in adequate condition.

While you plan to hang your stockings with care, make sure to never leave them without care. Stocking over an open fire can spell disaster for the home if they are not monitored, so if you plan to light your fireplace during the festivities, be sure to always have someone in the room. Also, do not put any wrapping paper into the fireplace, since their embers can rise up the chimney and pose a fire threat to your roof or a roof of a neighbor’s.

Finally, a word of caution about candles. They can make your home smell great, but they can also set your tree ablaze if left too close. Keep candles a safe distance away from trees, and be sure to monitor them throughout the festivities.

Getting ready for the big day can be quite an extensive task, but it never takes too much to ensure that you and your family stay protected this holiday season; a simple check is all you need.

From all of us at American Dream Realty of South Jersey, we wish you and your family a very merry Christmas!