The holiday season is here, and no matter what you are celebrating, you need to stay vigilant to keep your property safe. This means protecting your home and property from damage through fire, weather, and other external factors.
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Here are 5 tips for keeping your property safe this holiday season:
Use Outdoor Safe Lights When Decorating Outside
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, December has the highest rate of electrical fires due to holiday lights. When decorating for the holidays, always check all electrical outlets and decorations for damage.
If your lights are older than 4-6 years old, it is time to replace them.
Remove Dead Branches From Trees
Winter is a great time to get a professional, ISA-certified arborist to remove dead and dying branches from your trees through pruning. Removing these branches will keep your property safe this season by preventing them from breaking off in a storm or stiff wind. Falling branches can damage property and hurt passersby.
When hiring an arborist, research your options to ensure that they are certified and insured.
Refrain From Applying Salt Around Trees
When applying salt around your property, avoid placing it around the trees around your property. Salt damage is a common source of damage to trees in the winter. It can damage roots and cause symptoms like bark discoloration and browning needles on evergreens.
Keep All Holiday Decorations Away From Heat Sources
Be it a fireplace or heat vent, keep all holiday decorations away from heat sources. Fresh Christmas trees dry out faster when placed next to heat sources and can easily catch fire. Fresh trees should also be watered daily and lit candles should never be used as decoration.
Check Batteries On All Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Take the time this season to check the batteries on the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. As fire hazards are greater this time of year, you want to make sure that all alarms are working to keep your family safe.