The holiday season is almost here. Time for ugly sweaters, turkey dinners, and Christmas lights. However, while spreading holiday cheer, safety should be at the top of your list.

The many tasks involved with holiday preparation can pose safety risks. As your biggest well-wisher, we’re sharing top tips to prevent accidents and keep the season bright for all the right reasons.

Holiday Safety Tips

• Christmas lights are a common culprit for fire-related property claims. We suggest inspecting all indoor and outdoor lights before putting them up. Remove all cracked bulbs and frayed wires. 
• If you’re hiring a professional to hang lights or decorate, ensure they have proper liability insurance. Liability coverage is designed to cover a wide range of potential issues ensuring the contractor, you, and your property are protected in the event of an accident. 
• Overloaded power bars? A recipe for disaster. Exceeding the power bar’s capacity may cause overheating, which can ignite a fire. We recommend using a power bar with an on/off switch and avoiding daisy chaining; connecting two or more extension cords or power bars together. 
• Keep your Christmas tree well-watered. A dry tree can catch fire in less than 10 seconds (Source). You should water your tree daily – make it part of your morning routine! 
• Install a doorbell camera or motion censored lighting system to scare off potential thieves. 
• Christmas presents are protected under the contents portion of a home insurance policy, but there are stipulations and limitations for items like jewelry, electronics or bicycles. Keep your receipts as proof of purchase to make the claims process smoother. 

Now you're ready for a holly, jolly, and safe holiday season! 

If you have any insurance-related questions, our team of brokers is always here to help. Give us a call at (902) 481-0700.