The holiday season is in full swing and it’s time to go over some last minute preparations. Here are 7 quick tips from John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning for how to keep your family safe this holiday season.
1. Check those holiday lights
Check all your holiday lights for frayed cords, missing or broken bulbs, and cracked sockets, as these can all be fire hazards. When replacing bulbs, be sure to unplug the lights. Also, make sure that the bulb is the correct wattage and voltage.
2. Turn the lights off when you leave
This doesn’t just apply to lights. Turn off lights, blow out candles, and turn off or bank the fireplace. These can all be fire hazards even when you are around to keep an eye on them. If no one is there to monitor the situation, things can get out of control fast.
3. Keep combustible materials away from open flames
A lot of us like to light candles and fireplaces around this time of year, but it is vital to keep all potentially combustible materials away from open flames. If you want to put a candle on your windowsill, consider what type of curtains you have. Can you pull them back far enough that they are safely out of the way? Many houses have burned to the ground from a simple curtain catching fire.
If you have a fireplace, make sure you keep any extra firewood and kindling far enough back from the edge. Use a metal fireplace screen as an extra precaution.
4. Use one big extension cord instead of several small ones
Make sure you get an extension cord that is the correct length for your purposes. Chaining together several smaller extension cords can actually be a fire hazard. Just make sure it isn’t so long that someone might trip on it and fall into the fireplace.
6. Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
With all these fire hazards around the house, putting new batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors is a good idea. Test to make sure they are up to date and working. The last thing you want is to have your holiday season ruined by a house fire.
7. Give your HVAC a tuneup
Be sure to get your HVAC system serviced in time for the holidays! Get those filters changed and everything up to date to ensure your family’s safety so you can enjoy a worry-free holiday season.
Contact us in the Willow Grove area at 215-657-1262 and in the Ambler area at 215-646-5577. Or contact us online to request an appointment today!
