Holiday Safety Decorating Tips from Crilly Insurance
This holiday season Christmas trees are in record demand. Maryland, Virginia and D.C. households are decorating in a big way this month. Outside lighting, garland and bows, and live trees can all create a beautiful winter wonderland. Taking a walk or a drive, around your community to admire all those decorations, is a safe and inexpensive way to get revved up for the holidays. Finish up your “Christmas Light Tour” with hot chocolate and a cookie exchange.
Crilly Insurance wants you to decorate safely this holiday season.
Inside your home, remember to follow a few safety precautions to prevent fires from happening. While Christmas tree fires are not common, they are more likely to be deadly than other fires, according to the national fire protection association. In Annapolis Maryland many local residents remember the deadly mansion fire in January 2015 that killed four children and their grandparents. Four out of every five Christmas tree fires occur in December or January. Stay safe and protect your family and your home by following these basic safety tips .
A beautiful Fresh Tree adds beauty to your holidays.
Christmas Tree Safety Tips
1) If purchasing a fresh trees, look for one with vibrant green needles that are hard to pluck and don’t break easily from its branches. The tree shouldn’t be shedding its needles readily.
2) Keep your fresh tree moist by watering it on a daily basis.
3) If you are using an artificial tree, make certain it is fire retardant.
4) Set your tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights. Three feet is the optimum distance.
5) Make certain your tree is not blocking an exit.
6) The majority of holiday fires are started by candles. Keep candles away from your tree and at least 12 inches away from any flammable décor.
7) Use lights that have been tested in a lab by the UL or ETL/ITSNA for safety, and throw out any damaged lights.
8) Most importantly- turn off the lights before you go to bed. Remember to turn off the Christmas tree lights each night.
Shopping Online
Many people are doing their shopping online, which means more packages are being left on porches and doorsteps. December is the month when thieves are on the look-out to steal other people’s gifts. If you are not going to be home to receive packages, ask a neighbor to put your packages in a safe place or arrange to have items delivered to your workplace if that’s an option. As many services are making their deliveries in the early morning hours or in the evening, make certain you’ve turned on the front porch light. Motion detector lights can also be good idea.
Shopping by Car
If picking up gifts locally, remember to use some common sense by protecting items in your car. You’d be surprised how often people leave items in plain sight. Two of five people fail to hide valuables, according to a joint survey from LoJack and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. One-quarter leave a purse or wallet inside, and one-third have left bank statements – all of which are appealing to car thieves. One-third say they’ve kept their vehicle running while unoccupied.
Always park your car in a well-lighted area. To protect your car from ever getting stolen, etch the vehicle identification number on windows to discourage thieves from stealing the vehicle and selling it to a chop shop.
Call the Crilly Agency with your Insurance Questions
Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. At The Crilly Agency we want you to have a safe and happy holiday season. Check in with us to review that all your policies are up-to-date. Give us a call at 410-571-1771. And don’t forget to always unplug the Christmas tree at night and when you are not at home.
