Holiday Safety Tips

There is a lot of hustle and bustle during the holiday season.  While we are busy shopping, decorating, and being merry, it is easy to forget that there are also safety hazards that are specific to this time of year.  We wanted to discuss a few of them and remind you to exercise caution so that your holidays stay jolly!

Lights are a big part of the holiday season.  Lights are placed on Christmas trees inside homes, menorah candles are lit in windows, and yards are decorated with various lights.  All of this fire and electricity comes with intrinsic danger.  While we all love seeing beautiful light displays or feel warm inside as we drive past a home with a menorah in the window, we need to use our common sense and take some precautions.

Any Christmas tree can catch on fire, real or artificial.  It is important not to overload your electrical outlets with too many electrical cords.  Many artificial trees are pre-lit.  You should check online each year to verify that your particular tree has not had any recalls issued.  If you choose to buy a real or “live” Christmas tree, make sure you keep plenty of water in the tree stand.  A dried out tree is simply a dangerous idea.

Always turn off your Christmas tree lights when leaving the house or going to bed.  In addition, it is a good idea to do the same with your outdoor lights since anytime electricity is involved, fire is possible.  Many Christmas tree lights come with a built-in timer.  If you think you might forget to turn them off, these timers can be very useful.

People often like to have candles burning this time of year.  They give off a warm glow that makes the house feel cozy.  You can buy holiday-themed scents like “Sugar Cookie,” “Apple Cinnamon,” or “Forest Pine.”  Always blow out candles before leaving the house or going to bed.  What about menorah candles?   If you use menorah candles, you probably know they are supposed to stay lit until at least thirty minutes past sunset.  If you are leaving the house or going to bed, try to time your menorah lighting accordingly.

Another staple that we often see this time of year are poinsettia plants.  They can be red or white and are widely used in decorating during the holiday season.  If you have a dog or cat that thinks “taste test is best,” then you might want to avoid purchasing real poinsettias this year.  They do sell artificial versions that look quite real.  Poinsettias are toxic to dogs and cats and can cause vomiting, drooling, or diarrhea.  Neither you nor your pet wants to deal with that on Christmas morning!

As we bring our discussion of holiday safety to a close, we would like to remind you that if you plan to be gone during the holidays that a great way to keep your home safe is with hurricane shutters.  You don’t have to wait for inclement weather to use them.  Simply deploy your shutters before you leave town and you will be taking an extra safety measure to keep potential burglars from entering your home while you are gone!  If you don’t yet have hurricane shutters on your home and live in the Melbourne or Palm Bay area, then please give us a call today at Brevard Shutter to find out what we can do for you.  You can also stop by our showroom to see the different shutters that we have to offer.  We look forward to doing business with you!

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