Many homes welcome visitors over the holiday season and things can get a little crowded. The influx of people can lead to a higher risk for danger and injury, particularly for young children and pets. Not to mention, Thanksgiving is the number one day on which cooking fires occur. Because of these increased risks, safety precautions should be a top priority over the holidays. Small children, cooking food and open flames should always be supervised. Let’s review some more simple things you can do to keep your home safe while visitors are present.
Prepare for Children
You may want to do a bit a childproofing for your younger guests. Safety covers for electrical outlets are an easy fix to a potentially big problem. Electrical cords should be neatly coiled and stored against walls or in buckets to prevent tripping. Store risky items, such as medicines, chemicals and small choking hazards, out of reach or lock them in a cabinet.
Make a rule that kids must stay at least 3 feet from stovetops, cooking appliances and heating devices to protect them from burns and prevent the occurrence of fires. Providing a supply of toys and drawing materials can keep children busy enough to stay out of trouble.
Prepare for Pets
Many pets are plagued with anxiety when the hustle and bustle of holidays disrupts their daily routine. Sticking to your pets’ routine as much as possible, with regular meal times and walks, can help relax them. Some pets prefer the privacy of a crate or your bedroom when the noise becomes too much.
Over-stimulated dogs may not take well to kids pulling tails and fur. Even the gentlest family dogs have limits. Adults should supervise children when playing with pets to monitor the safety of the situation. If a dog appears to be irritated, call it into an empty room to cool off.
Stringy decorations can be very alluring to pets, especially cats. But these festive strands can cause choking, strangulation or serious digestive tract issues if swallowed. Ensure that all decorations and poisonous plants are out of reach, particularly away from curious cats.
When children and animals are kept safe, you and your guests can enjoy the food and laughter of the holiday. With simple safety precautions, you won’t have to worry about opening your home and heart to loved ones.
Your watchful eye can’t always prevent every potential disaster. Call Lancette Agency at (651) 264-1230 for more information on Minneapolis home insurance.