The holiday season is a time for family, celebration, and creating warm memories — but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year for home disasters. Between festive cooking, decorations, heaters, and winter weather, the winter months bring significant increase in fire, water, and electrical damage claims. As a restoration company, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly accidents can happen. With a few simple precautions, you can keep your home safe and your holidays stress-free.

1. Be Fire-Smart with Holiday Lights & Decorations

Decorative lights, candles, and overloaded outlets are some of the most common causes of holiday-related fires.
Stay safe by:

• Inspecting holiday lights for frayed wires or broken bulbs
• Using UL-listed extension cords and power strips
• Keeping real trees well-watered
• Extinguishing all candles before leaving the room
• Never connecting more light strands than the manufacturer recommends

2. Cook with Caution

Holiday cooking is a leading cause of residential fires this time of year.
Avoid kitchen disasters by:

• Staying in the kitchen when using the stovetop
• Keeping flammable items—towels, oven mitts, decorations—away from heat
• Setting timers for anything in the oven
• Using turkey fryers outdoors, far from structures

3. Heat Your Home Safely

Portable heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces help keep your home cozy—but they also pose risks.

Practice safe heating by:

• Keeping space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything flammable
• Having your chimney cleaned annually
• Never using the oven to heat your home
• Testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

4. Prevent Winter Water Damage

Cold temperatures and unpredictable winter weather can create major water problems.
Protect your property by:

• Insulating exposed pipes
• Leaving cabinets open during extremely cold nights
• Disconnecting outdoor hoses
• Monitoring attic and basement humidity
• Clearing gutters to prevent ice dams

5. Keep Walkways Safe for Guests

Holiday gatherings bring extra foot traffic.
Reduce trip-and-fall risks by:

• Shoveling and salting walkways
• Removing clutter from entryways
• Making sure exterior lights are working

6. Be Prepared—Just in Case

Despite all precautions, accidents can still happen.
Have an emergency plan, keep a fire extinguisher accessible, and know who to call if a disaster occurs.

Here for You 24/7 This Holiday Season

If fire, water, storm, or mold damage interrupts your celebrations, our restoration team is on call day and night. We respond quickly, minimize damage, and help restore your home so you can get back to enjoying the season.

Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy a happy and hazard-free holiday!