Home Insurance Florida | It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but according to several statistics, it’s also one of the most dangerous.
In 2017, the three leading dates for home fires caused by cooking were Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Home burglaries trend upwards in the month of December and alcohol-related accidents occur most often during the holiday season. It’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle and get distracted when it comes to simple safety precautions. In order to protect your home and avoid costly damage or loss to your property, you’ll want to be on high alert.
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As you’re getting the decorations out, hosting holiday events, and traveling this holiday season, keep these tips in the back of your mind:
Prevent Personal Injury and Pet Bites
From postal workers to party guests, there could be a lot of people in and around your home during the holidays – and with the increase in traffic comes an increase in injury probability.
Your friendly and beloved dog may begin to feel stressed and overwhelmed during these times and can behave in ways you wouldn’t expect. When you are not accustomed to hosting small children, your usually safe home can suddenly become a dangerous environment for visiting and curious toddlers or rambunctious kids.
Safeguard against potential liability issues:
- Keep pets secured when you have workers in or around your home.
- Consider boarding pets during especially large gatherings where it will be hard to keep an eye on their demeanor at all times.
- When you invite young guests, talk to their parents about any needed safety measures, like covering electrical outlets or securing wires.
- Keep hot dishes and pots and pans out of children’s reach.
- When hosting a party, supply a designated driver or ride service for guests who have been drinking.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you serve guests to prevent slips and falls.
- Never combine alcohol with activities like setting off fireworks, using fire pits or swimming.
Extinguish Your Risk of Home Fires
From faulty decorations to unattended cooking, the holidays are riddled with opportunities to start a home fire. Overdoing it and the holidays tend to go hand-in-hand; just make sure that none of your holiday exuberance sets your family and home up for disaster.
Keep an eye out for these hazardous home fire situations:
- Make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and read the directions so that you will know how to use it if needed.
- Inspect lights for frayed wires or broken bulbs that can cause sparks.
- Never overload electrical outlets and keep the space surrounding an outlet free of pillows, blankets, etc.
- Keep candles out of the proximity of flammable materials like curtains or hanging garlands.
- Never leave any cooking unattended. If you have to leave the house, turn all burners and ovens off before doing so. Plan your cooking time when the kitchen is likely to have the least amount of traffic.
- Remember to smother a grease fire and never throw water onto it.
- Keep Christmas trees well-hydrated. Dry trees introduce an exceptionally flammable object into your home and are often covered in hot lights.
- Have your fire device serviced before lighting up the rare fire, even if you are only planning to have it going long enough to roast marshmallows.
- Fire pits should always be attended by a sober adult. Never go to bed while embers are still hot. Instead douse the fire with sand or water and ensure it is fully extinguished before turning in.
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Stop Thieves in Their Tracks
Thieves are opportunistic and the holiday season is considered one of the best opportunities to commit multiple crimes. As thieves watch the boxes and packages entering your home or piling up by your trash, they can get a good sense of what they might hope to score.
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Ward off greedy criminals by adhering to the below tips:
- Never publicize your travel plans. Do not post to social media outlets the dates you will be away from home.
- Always enlist a neighbor to check on your home while you are traveling.
- Don’t discuss your holiday travel plans with strangers or acquaintances, especially in public places like the grocery store or shopping mall.
- Make sure all alarms and motion sensors are in good working order before the holidays.
- Check deadbolts and locks to make sure your home is secure at all times. Never hide spare keys.
- Keep your vehicle locked and never store valuable items in it.
- Don’t load up a front window Christmas tree display with all the large boxes and gifts you have purchased your family. Instead, hide the bulk of your gifts to put out only on Christmas Eve.
- Do not dispose of large packaging by the curb. Instead break down boxes and place them inside a recycling or trash bin.
- Beware of strangers at your door. Always ask for identification from anyone not in uniform or from unknown deliveries. Never invite them into your home.
By staying alert, you can have a wholesome and safe holiday season in your home.
Get a new homeowners insurance quote today. They are free and easy and can help you make a more informed decision. Visit American Integrity Insurance for a free, no obligation homeowners insurance quote in Florida.
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We offer traditional and high valued homeowners insurance, condo insurance, renters insurance, and the special coverage required for vacant homes, manufactured homes, and policies designed for those who need less coverage or are renting out their home. We also offer extra protection, including flood insurance, umbrella insurance, golf cart insurance, boat insurance, cyber coverage and identity theft protection as well as equipment breakdown coverage, to help address a broad range of needs facing Florida homeowners today.