We often picture the holiday period as a joyous stretch of family gatherings, friends and laughter, where mishaps won’t occur. Yet as delightful as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s and other winter celebrations can be, they also raise risks to our homes, vehicles, loved ones, pets and well-being.
To protect the people and possessions you care about — and to preserve your finances during an already costly time — take a proactive approach to risk reduction. While festive lights, cookies and classic holiday tunes may occupy your thoughts, be sure to carve out time to think about home security, stove safety and sensible eating, too.
Below are practical steps to shield your property, household and health this holiday season.
Securing Your Home: Burglary Prevention
The holidays present multiple dangers to your residence and those inside. Arguably the most serious is a break-in.
I talked with Officer Brandon in Northern California about break-ins around the holidays. “Burglaries typically come down to a house that’s the simplest to access while attracting minimal attention,” Brandon said. For example, the holiday stretch leaves an unusually high number of homes unattended. That increase in empty residences gives burglars more chances.”
Put simply, criminals realize houses are likelier to be vacant when families travel for the holidays. Still, a US Department of Justice report indicates that nearly three in 10 home invasions occur while someone is present, so your home isn’t automatically safe simply because you’re hosting holiday guests.
What can you do? Officer Brandon offered several suggestions to discourage burglars: “Defining your property from public walkways helps, such as installing a 6-foot fence or planting hedges along the boundary. Motion-activated lighting also discourages entry.”
He also advised using interior lights strategically. “Putting lights on timers gives the impression someone is home. Setting timers in different rooms at staggered intervals creates the look of someone moving through the house.”
And naturally, Officer Brandon strongly endorses having a security system. “If you can’t afford one or aren’t permitted to install one where you live, even an alarm company sign or a window decal is a useful alternative. Burglars choose the home that minimizes their risk: a residence with a climbable fence, poor lighting and no security measures is an easier target.”
Securing Your Home: Fire Risks
The holiday season also heightens the chance of fires, with nearly a third of home fires occurring in December, January and February.
“During the holidays temperatures drop and people begin using fireplaces and furnaces,” explained Sean O’Neill, a firefighter in Dayton, Ohio. For chimneys, O’Neill suggests hiring a sweep before first winter use to clear built-up creosote and any bird nests. He also recommends having a technician inspect your furnace before turning on the heat for the season.
But heating appliances aren’t the only fire hazards this time of year; dry Christmas trees, overloaded holiday lights, lit candles and kitchen accidents are common culprits.
O’Neill passed along a few safety pointers:
- Kitchen safety: “Manage cooking grease, keep burners free of flammable materials and use timers and appropriate cooking temperatures.”
- Lighting safety: “Be cautious about how many devices you plug into an outlet. Use surge protectors or extension cords with built-in fuses. Never plug additional cords or surge protectors into ones already attached — this practice, called ‘daisy chaining,’ is hazardous.”
Protecting Your Vehicle: Pre-Trip Maintenance
The holidays also bring increased travel at a time when road conditions can be most dangerous in some regions. For instance, Christmas and New Year’s together see about a 25% risein drivers traveling more than 50 miles to a destination.
Before you set out on long drives or commute in wintry conditions, have a trusted mechanic check your car — inspect tires, brakes, heater, lights, battery and other key systems. Replace windshield wipers for clear visibility, and consider snow tires depending on where you live.
Protecting Loved Ones: Children and Pets
It’s not only your belongings at stake over the holidays. As a parent or pet guardian, you can take steps to create a safer environment for children and animals.
SafeKids.org lists several holiday safety guidelines for caregivers with young children, particularly if you’re hosting and aren’t used to small guests. To start, avoid tiny decorations that could be choking hazards, keep lights and candles beyond reach, choose age-appropriate gifts for little ones, keep children away from the kitchen during baking, and make sure kids are warmly dressed for outdoor play.
For pets, keep ornaments, cords and other decorations out of reach, especially if your cat or dog tends to chew or explore. Do not give your pet holiday table scraps or alcohol, and remember to help your animal feel secure in large gatherings or around New Year’s fireworks, per the ASPCA.
Protecting Your Health: Eating and Drinking Wisely
Holidays are a period of indulgence when many of us overeat or drink more than usual. It’s important to balance celebration with caution.
AmericanAddictionCenters.org highlights the dangers of binge eating and offers a useful infographic comparing average holiday-meal calorie totals to the recommended intake (about 3,670 on average versus an ideal of roughly 1,135).
Overconsumption of alcohol is also a concern — not only for your health but for road safety. With traditional taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft available, there’s no justification for driving impaired.
Keep your holiday season joyful and safe by concentrating on precautionary measures. Being mindful and prepared is the best way to ensure a secure holiday for you and yours, and to avoid common pitfalls like holiday scams.
