As we get into the festive spirit, it's important to remember to keep our home safe over Christmas. From twinkly lights on the tree, to cinnamon scented candles, or even cooking the festive feast, you’ll need to keep Christmas home safety in mind. Follow our simple guide so you can avoid yuletide mishaps:
- Take care on social media
- Blow out those candles
- Check Christmas lights
- Keep decorations child-friendly
- Avoid a kitchen catastrophe
- Keep presents out of sight
- Ensure you're insured
Take care on social media
Social media can be a great place to keep track of memorable moments (or boast about that Christmas getaway you’ve booked). But you should think twice before you post.
Avoid sharing when you’ll be out of your house, especially if you’ll be gone for a while. You don’t want to advertise your home as a perfect target for burglars.
If Santa’s been particularly generous this year, reconsider posting about your new big screen TV, or sparkling diamond ring. Again, this is a signal to would-be thieves that you have possessions they might want to steal.
Blow out those candles
Candles are the perfect way to set the festive mood in our homes. With their glow filling the room with warmth, they can add a touch of Christmas magic. But it’s important to remember candles can be dangerous.
Make sure you blow out any candles when you’re not in the room, place them away from children and pets, and place them on a stable, even surface so they don’t tip over and cause a fire.
Check Christmas lights
Christmas lights are a staple in festive décor, so we don’t always think of them as a potential hazard. We put them on our trees, wrap them around our bannisters, and hang them on our walls. Before hanging up your twinkles here are some checks you should do:
- Check the wire
If the wire of the light is damaged, you could be at risk of electrocution or even an electrical fire. Check the wires of your lights before you plug them in, or pop any batteries in. - Get rid of damaged bulbs
Sometimes Christmas lights get damaged in storage. Before powering them up this year, check each bulb in your light strings to make sure they’re in good condition. Look for cracks and breaks, and if you find any, swap out the bulb with a replacement. - Turn them off!
If your lights have been on for a long time or you’re not in the room to supervise, turn them off. They can get hot and cause a fire. LED lights don’t generate as much heat as traditional fairy lights, but you should still give them a break from time to time.
Keep decorations child-friendly
If you have young children, the excitement of Christmas can lead to curious hands exploring the sparkly, bright decorations. Keep sharp or small decorations out of reach of young children, and always keep an eye on children around the tree.
Avoid a kitchen catastrophe
The heart of many festive celebrations is the Christmas dinner. And with turkey, potatoes, Brussels sprouts and more populating our plates - the kitchen will be put to good use on the day.
Keep an eye on food while cooking and don’t leave your oven or stove on when you’re out of the room to avoid potential fires.
Keep presents out of sight
Presents might look pretty under the tree, but you don’t want to give burglars incentive to break into your home. Store your gifts away from any front facing windows and make sure they can’t be seen by anyone who may be looking in.
Ensure you're insured
Whether you got a new laptop, bike, jewellery, or designer handbag, you’ll want to make sure this year’s prezzies are covered under your home insurance. You might need to top up your personal possessions cover – or add some bicycle insurance for your new wheels.
As you get yourself in the swing of the Christmas season, make sure you and your family stay safe with our handy tips for a happy holiday season. For some extra peace of mind, why not get a quote from AXA Home Insurance? It’s quick and easy!
And if you're already an AXA customer, check out our Festive FAQ Buster to see how we'll protect your home this Christmas.
