5 common home hazards to be aware of while on vacation — and how to prevent them

The holiday season is a time of joy when we decorate our homes and gather with family and friends to enjoy good food and good company. There are always lots of things to prepare: buying and wrapping gifts, decorating your house with a tree and lights, and prepare lots (and lots) of food.

However, with so many tasks to complete to ensure the festive period is enjoyed by all, it can be easy to overlook certain safety risks which, if forgotten, could cause accidents or, in the worst case scenario , major safety hazards.

I spoke directly with safety experts who shared their top five tips on common dangers to avoid at Christmas so you can enjoy the festivities with peace of mind.

1. Be careful with candles

Taper candles

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Candles bring beautiful ambiance to a home during the festive season, with plenty of fragrant aromas to enhance the ambiance. However, Joel Efosa, CEO of Fire Cash Buyerstresses that open flames are a major cause of fire damage and that you should be extremely careful when lighting them.

“Candles add a festive touch, but they should be kept away from any flammable materials, with a recommendation of at least 3 feet distance between candles and anything flammable,” says Efosa.

It is also important to take another precautionary measure. “Make sure the wick is trimmed to 1/4 inch with each use so the flame doesn’t get too high, and make sure there is at least 4 inches between candles.”

THE National Candle Association also warns against leaving candles unattended and never leaving a candle lit at night or while you go to sleep.

2. Overloading sockets

Overloaded electrical outlet with sparks flying

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

According to Efosa, one of the main fire risks is electrical malfunctions, especially during the holiday season. “Overloading outlets with multiple strands of lights, decorations or power-hungry appliances increases the risk of overheating and can lead to short circuits or electrical fires,” he explains.

Matthew Currington, technical director of The lighting supermarketsays: “This is particularly important if you are using older lamps, as they can consume more energy and, combined with outdated household wiring, pose a higher risk of overheating. »

Efosa suggests spreading your decorations across multiple outlets throughout the space to avoid hazards and minimize risk, rather than stacking a single outlet with plugs. And if you like to fill your home with light this holiday season and know you’ll have plenty of outlets to plug into, he suggests investing in surge protectors.

Meanwhile, Chris Madikian, an electrical expert at The local electrician recommends opting for LED lights over traditional incandescent bulbs because they are “cooler, energy efficient and safer to use.”

Why do you need a surge

A surge protector is slightly different from a power strip, a long power strip containing several power outlets connected to a cable with a plug that fits into your wall outlet.

Power strips can only handle a certain amount of watts and can quickly become overloaded. This causes overheating of the belt, electrical failure and risk of electrical fire.

THE best surge protectors look like power strips but contain electronic components that protect your electronic devices from electrical surges, preventing damage and fires.

3. Use heaters safely

cat lying on carpet near electric fan heater at home

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

We spend more time at home during the holiday season, but the days and evenings can be chilly. Around this time of year we’ll probably release a space heater that has been stored in an attic or plugged in an electric blanket to stay warm.

When using a space heater, Efosa advises: “Always read the instructions before use and keep heaters at least one meter away from flammable objects such as curtains, furniture and Christmas trees. »

Supply of tractors also warns against plugging a portable heater into a power strip or indirect power source, as this could cause overheating, damage the device, and create a potential fire hazard.

Efosa also adds: “Never leave heating equipment unattended and be sure to turn off radiators and unplug electric blankets before going to bed or leaving the room. »

4. Hang your festive lights carefully

Christmas lights

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Don’t get tangled with your holiday lights this season, as you could create a safety hazard if you don’t check or hang them properly.

Currington advises: “Christmas lights that have been stored and reused for years often come out with worn wires, damaged insulation or exposed wires, increasing the risk of shock and short circuits. It is crucial to inspect lights for damage before use and to recycle or responsibly dispose of damaged assemblies.

Using the wrong lights in the wrong place can also pose a fire risk, with Currington saying: “For outdoor lighting, use Christmas lights specifically designed for outdoor use in your yard, as they are sturdier and better insulated to resist cold and humidity. .”

It also warns: “Dry winter leaves can act like tinder next to exposed electrical cables, so always check labels and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, looking for terms like ‘waterproof’ or ‘weather-resistant.’ ‘water “.

Another issue is how to hang your party lights. “Avoid using nails, staples or metal hangers to secure string light cables, especially outdoors, as they can pierce or pinch the insulation, risking fire or electric shock,” advises he.

As an alternative, he suggests using purpose-designed insulated hooks, which are a safer choice all round.

Trick : LED lights are the safest lighting option because they emit less heat, reducing the risk of fire to nearby decorations.

5. Be careful in the kitchen

White Christmas kitchen in Scandinavian style

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

There are many kitchen hazards to be aware of during the festive period, from using dull knives to leaving food unattended on cooktops to placing decorations in danger . There is also an added risk of poisoning your guests if your food is not stored safely or the turkey is not cooked to the correct temperature. However, Kitchen Gadgets Can Help You Avoid a Christmas Dinner Disasterlike a refrigerator and meat thermometers.

In addition to food issues, there are fire hazards to be aware of and avoid. By decorating your kitchen with garlands draped over your gas or electric cooker The hood may seem festive, but it poses a serious fire hazard.

Julie Gokce, senior designer at More kitchenssays: “Kitchens are often the heart of the home during the festive period, frequently used for entertaining and cooking, and having flammable decorations near your cooktop significantly increases the risk of fire. »

For this reason, it is essential to keep flammable decorations away from heat sources, whether in the kitchen or any other room in your home.

Gokce adds: “Always keep any foliage and other decor away from the hob while cooking to ensure safety and avoid any long-term damage to your kitchen. »