Stay safe during the holidays!

Looking forward to the holidays? You’re definitely not the only one counting down the days to Christmas! The time has finally come to get your wish list ready, decorate your house and think of all places you could put your elf on the shelf to entertain the kids.

Your elves may be mischievous, so make sure their tricks are safe for everyone. Moving objects around the house adds a pinch of mystery, so long as you don’t also pinch a nerve in the process!

Safety tips for Christmas vacations and decorations

Did you know that the holiday season is one of the worst times for residential fires? To put your Christmas spirit on full display (both inside and out), you’ll obviously need a tree, decorations and a bunch of lights—but be aware: all of this could potentially cause an incident and may even lead to a home insurance claim.

Here’s what we suggest to celebrate Christmas safely and enjoy stress-free festivities!

The Christmas tree

Whether your tree is real or artificial, it’s essential you erect it in an appropriate place and follow some precautions to avoid nasty surprises.

Lighting

Decorative lights and candles can add a touch of magic to your home, but they can also be dangerous. Follow these prevention tips:

• Use string lights with LED bulbs, which emit little heat
• Inspect the cords and bulbs of your Christmas lights before installing them
• Make sure your extension cords are suitable and don’t get hot
• Never put wires or extension cords under the rug
• Use plastic hooks, zip ties or tape to attach your decorative lights rather than nails or tacks
• Keep your decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, such as bulbs, electric baseboards, etc.
• Always place your candles on a stable surface, well beyond the reach of children and pets
• Avoid overloading outlets; if your breaker trips, it’s because you’ve overloaded the outlets

Consider turning off your decorations when going to sleep or leaving the house, Christmas tree included.

The kitchen

With Christmas comes copious and comforting food. But here, too, caution is key! Consider these practical tips:

• Use a timer to avoid forgetting dishes cooking on or in the range
• Never leave your range unattended when preparing your feast
• Remember to turn off all cooking appliances when you leave the house
• Stay organized and create a plan so as not to forget anything

The chimney or fireplace

The warmth, the aroma, the ambiance: there’s nothing quite like a wood fireplace or stove during the holidays. Wood heating must, however, be used with caution to prevent the risk of fire:

• Keep your stockings away from the heat of your woodfire
• Never decorate your hearth with flammable decorations, such as real tree branches or pinecones
• Never burn your Christmas tree or wrapping paper in the fireplace or woodstove
• Before winter arrives, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order and, if necessary, change the batteries
• Never leave your wood-burning heat source unattended

Leaving the house

Are you going away for the holidays? Be extra vigilant by, again, taking a few precautions to reduce the risk of burglary.

And if there’s an incident despite your best efforts? Your home insurance will help you cover the damages!

Buying presents: careful in the car!

You may have noticed: caution is the name of the game! Thieves are highly active during the holidays. Even when buying your gifts, be sure to park your vehicle in a high-traffic and well-lit area and put your purchases in the trunk, away from the prying eyes of wrongdoers.

Even the smallest actions can greatly affect our memories of the holidays. Follow these simple tips to make sure this holiday season doesn’t become the least wonderful time of the year!