Are you doing the “Safety Dance” for your holiday parties?
Are you hosting a holiday party this year? If so, you’ve probably created a number of “To Do” lists that include picking up the food, decorating the house, and…calling your insurance agent? With so much going on, you may forget to look into the safety aspects of a holiday party. If someone gets hurt or sick in your home, are you covered? What about if they have an accident when they leave? Here are a few tips to help keep you and your guests safe during your celebrations.
- Be careful with alcohol. Talk to your agent about Social Host Liability and make sure you understand your responsibilities (and risks) as host. The Insurance Information Institute also provides some great tips to keep you and your guests safe including encouraging guests to select designated drivers, hiring a professional bartender who can recognize signs of intoxication and limit consumption, and not pressuring guests to drink. For a full list of tips from the Institute, click HERE.
- Use proper food handling practices when cooking. Wash your hands properly during preparation and use meat thermometers to ensure that all food is cooked thoroughly. You may also want to ask your guests if they have any food allergies to avoid bad reactions during your event.
- Don’t overload your electronics. Between holiday music, running “A Christmas Story” for the 100th time, and the plethora of lights and decorations you may have up, you need to be sure that you’re not overloading your outlets or appliances. It may be tempting to plug in one more light into that already triple-daisy-chained outlet, but consider the consequences before your decor.
- Think fire safety. Most households decorate with candles or a fire in the fireplace. While these add a certain ambiance to your home, make sure that you’re practicing fire safety. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets, and ensure that they are away from heavy traffic areas. Use a screen for your fireplace and keep children and pets away. You also want to make sure to keep your Christmas tree watered so that it doesn’t dry up and become a worse fire hazard.
- Keep entryways – and ALL traffic areas – safe. Make sure your sidewalks are clear and that there are no tripping hazards – whether from holiday decorations or cracks in the concrete. In your home, make sure that there is enough room for guests to navigate without problems and that decorations and furniture do not present tripping hazards.
- Know your guest list. With so many people coming in and out of your home, it would be easy for a stranger to slip in and out, taking some precious valuables with him. Know who’s coming to your party and whether or not they are bringing guests. Also, keep your valuables stored away in a safe place, not laying out in the open.
The holidays are meant to be a time of togetherness with the ones we love. We wish you and your family safe and happy holiday celebrations!
For more tips or to speak with your agent about your homeowners coverage, please call the Skip Wren Insurance Agency office at 321-725-1440.
