Scott McGillivray Reveals 10 Mistakes to Avoid to Keep Your Home Safe During the Holidays

Those big inflatable Santas and reindeer are fun, but in snowy, windy weather, installing them on the roof can pose a risk to yourself. So as much as you might want to recreate a fun holiday scene by the chimney, you’re better off sticking with the front lawn.

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Everyone hates shoveling snow, but you’ve got to do it. Not only for your family, but for all your guests visiting during the holidays. They need a clear, safe path to the door. Keep salt or kitty litter close by so you can put some down when it gets icy.

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Decorating your home often requires a bit of a climb, whether it’s to reach the top of the tree or to hang exterior lights. So, whether you’re inside or out, be responsible and make sure the ladder is secure and you have a spotter. Never climb ladders when you’re alone and make sure they’re stable before you take that first step up.

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If you get a real tree, make sure it’s fresh in order to reduce the risk of fire hazards. If it’s artificial, make sure it’s flame retardant. And never, ever use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity if the lights are faulty; and if someone touches a branch, they could be electrocuted.

Those holiday string lights are the bane of my existence. It seems like every year I have to buy new ones because last year’s don’t work. However, it’s better to buy new than to risk using damaged lights. Always check for frayed wires, damaged sockets and gaps in the protective insulation. If they’re damaged, DO NOT use them. They can pose a serious fire hazard.

Lights are a big part of holiday decorating, but you need to be cautious. Don’t plug too many into the same outlet. Also, keep in mind that it’s generally not a good idea to plug different types of light sets together. For example, don’t plug one of your old incandescent light strings into a new LED set.

Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power bar. Plug it directly into a wall outlet and always turn it off before leaving the room. And when you do use an extension cord – for lights or electronics – don’t run them under rugs. Instead, put them next to the wall so there’s no tripping hazard. And never connect more than one extension cord together.

Never mount lights in a way that could damage the cord’s protective insulation. This includes using staples, nails or tacks. Instead, string them through hooks, use plastic clips or secure them with insulated tape. It’s tempting to just staple them in because it’s fast, but the risk isn’t worth the speed and convenience.

Every classic holiday photo shows a Christmas tree next to a fireplace. Sure, it’s pretty and festive, but it’s also a serious fire hazard. Sparks and embers can fly out of the fireplace; and if they hit the tree, there could be trouble. Always keep trees away from heat sources, including fireplaces, heat vents and candles.

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It’s always important to keep your smoke and CO2 detectors in working order, but it’s worthwhile to do an extra check near the holidays. With all the extra cooking, strings of lights, candles and so on, you want to make sure you’re well protected. Make sure you’ve got them on every level of the house and most definitely near sleeping areas.

Need more tips to make your home safe this winter? Check out Mike Holmes’ suggestions.