Insurance Claim
At The Morgan Law Group P.A., our Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico insurance claims attorneys know how exciting the days and nights leading up to the winter holidays are for home and condo owners who are hosting family and friends to celebrate together.
Unfortunately, holidays bring dangers that are difficult to anticipate, especially when busy minds are thinking about all the things they need to accomplish before their guests arrive.
Here are a few tips to keep everyone safe at home this holiday season.
Practice Fire Safety Inside & Outside the Home
Holiday celebrations come with significant fire hazards, including those caused by kitchen appliances, candles, fireplaces, and holiday lights.
Never leave food unattended on the stove, or candles burning anywhere they cannot be monitored.
Check all fireplaces and chimneys to ensure the wood can burn cleanly and be sure to keep the Christmas tree at least three feet away from a radiator, fireplace, or heat vent.
One in four fires throughout the country is caused by a Christmas tree that is too close to a heat source.
Before the holiday arrives, check all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in working order, and inspect fire extinguishers to ensure they are up to date before the festivities begin.
Secure Electrical Wires, Cords, and Tripping Hazards
A common cause of Christmas tree fires stems from problems with electrical distribution or lighting equipment. When too many lights — inside or outside the home — overload the circuit, a fire can occur without notice.
Be sure to read the instructions on lighting equipment, minimize the number of connections — including the use of extension cords — and use a surge protector to stabilize the connection to help avoid an electrical fire.
Wires and cords can be dangerous in other ways, too.
When entertaining a larger than usual amount of people, hosts often rely on warming pans and crock pots that must be plugged in to function properly. When the number of appliances expands, so do the tripping hazards.
Be sure to secure all wires, cords, and decorations, so they are out of walkways or spaces where moving arms can easily collide with them and pull down a hot pan.
Secure Entries, Deadbolts & Lighting
Throughout Florida, and the rest of the U.S. local police often warn residents about an increase in burglaries around the holidays.
This is the perfect time to secure entries by adding deadbolts or securing the home with an alarm system.
Likewise, installing additional outdoor lighting can help deter unwanted guests from accessing the property for fear of being seen, while creating a clear path of lights for family and friends to come and go safely.
If you are confronted by damage to your home or condo during the holidays, contact our experienced insurance claims attorneys in Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico at 888-904-2524 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue the outcome you deserve from your insurance policy.
