Putting a little extra thought into safety and security this Christmas will help to ensure you, your family and your property all get through the festive season unscathed.
To help you get ready for the winter months, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most important safety considerations at Christmas.
Home security
Although security isn’t something we necessarily want to think about at Christmas, keeping your home and your family safe will probably be one of your top priorities. As the nights draw in and days become darker, the number of burglaries in the UK increases. Thieves take advantage of the darkness to test windows and doors and find the weak points in your home’s security.
The best way to keep opportunist burglars out, and protect your property, is to secure your doors and windows at all times. If your doors or windows are old, or if their locking mechanisms are faulty, replacing them now will ensure your home is safe and secure this Christmas.
Christmas lighting
Lighting is a fantastic way to brighten up your home and create a bit of festive cheer. However, if you’re going to keep your property and your family safe, you need to think carefully about the lights you use and how you use them.
Old festive lights can be a fire risk, so make sure you replace any ageing sets with new versions. It’s also a good idea to avoid overloading a plug socket with strings and strings of Christmas bulbs. Sockets that are overloaded can short out – something that can potentially cause a fire risk on your property.
Christmas trees
Many people prefer the look and smell of real Christmas trees during the festive period. However, while real trees might look the part, they’re not always the safe choice. As @ElecSafetyFirst says, ‘Did you know that a real tree can catch fire a lot quicker than a fire retardant artificial one, so consider buying one of the fabulous fakes that are available.’ It’s also important to remember to turn your lights off before going to bed at night. This will help to prevent your home from catching fire while you’re sleeping.
Decorations and children
If you have small children in the home, you need to think about them carefully when putting up your decorations. Anything that hangs down, like string lights and tinsel, can be a potential risk to a child, so make sure any dangling decorations are out of reach.
Small objects can be a choking hazard for younger children. Look at your decorations carefully before you hang them and remove any small object you think could pose a risk.
Fragile decorations, like glass baubles, can also be dangerous for kids. If possible, pack your fragile decorations away until your children are a little older. If this isn’t possible, make sure you keep a close eye on your decorations and clean up any breakages fast.
Find out more about keeping your home safe and secure, and learn about our strong, high-quality windows and doors, by exploring our site today.