Safeguard Your Home With Our Holiday Reminders
As chillier weather approaches and COVID-19 continues, we’ll find ourselves hunkered down inside our homes much more than usual this holiday season. As we hide ourselves away with immediate family to celebrate, one thing is for certain: We want to be as cozy as possible when those temperatures dip! But maintaining cozy warmth doesn’t mean we should neglect our indoor safety. We all know the holidays can be chaotic—leaving us forgetful or just plain oblivious to certain safety measures we may overlook as we wrap gifts and bake cookies. So we thought: Simple safety reminders are never a bad idea!
At Blue Ribbon, we want all of our customers to enjoy a safe and healthy holiday this year. After all, we’re not just the area’s leading air conditioner repair service in Bastrop, TX, and nearby. We’re also the HVAC company that cares about our community! To prove it, our team is offering some solid safety reminders to help keep your family protected all season.
1. Avoid kerosene heaters.
Kerosene heaters can be dangerous indoors. They produce carbon monoxide, which can lead to a number of health hazards and even death. Our suggestion? Substitute electric for kerosene if you must use a space heater indoors. Of course, if you’re experiencing home heat loss, call our experts for some professional heating maintenance!
2. Unplug heaters.
If you use an electric space heater to stay snug, always remember to unplug it when it’s not in use.
3. Be careful with holiday lights.
Most folks know this, but it’s still a good reminder: Always turn holiday lights off before leaving the house. It is especially important to unplug Christmas tree lights when not at home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 160 house fires per year are sparked by Christmas tree fires—many because homeowners left lights on while the tree was unattended.
4. Keep a working fire extinguisher nearby.
More than any other time of the year, the holidays involve extra candles, cooking and lights. While we don’t expect you to burn the cookies or torch that turkey, keep a working fire extinguisher handy just in case something goes awry. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
5. Don’t leave candles unattended.
Whether you’re lighting the Menorah or simply setting a festive Christmas mood at the dinner table, always stay within reach of lighted candles. Keep toddlers away from them while also keeping candles far from draperies, curtains or anything flammable.
6. Keep the tree well watered.
If you’re a “real tree” person, be sure to keep it watered properly throughout the season. Dry tree branches and lights are a combination for disaster. Be diligent about watering your live tree and your home will be much safer.
7. Install a carbon monoxide detector.
If you own a gas fireplace or other gas appliances, it’s essential that you install a working carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide poisoning is known as the “silent killer” because it has no odor. Installing detectors on all levels of your home could save your life!
8. Invest in protective screens for fireplaces.
Are you fortunate enough to have a real wood-burning fireplace? What a great way to provide heat and stay snug on a cold, frosty day! But don’t forget to invest in a protective screen to prevent sparks from flying onto your carpet or furniture. Screens also will help keep curious children and pets away from the fireplace.
9. Call for annual fireplace service.
If your home has a wood-burning or gas fireplace, keep it in the safest working condition possible by having it serviced once a year. Don’t think: “Oh, my fireplace is OK this year.” Have a professional guarantee its safety!
10. Keep pets away from festive plants.
Don’t forget about Fido and Fluffy this holiday season. Be sure to keep poinsettias, holly plants and mistletoe far from your best friend’s reach. These plants can cause gastrointestinal distress for your pet and even be poisonous to them if swallowed!
Still Chilly? Call Blue Ribbon for an Annual Heating Tune-Up!
Keeping your holiday safe and hazard-free is our No.1 wish for all of our loyal customers. If you have heating questions for your home or need us for any type of air conditioning maintenance services, we are always here for you—through each and every season. For now, we’d like to simply send you warm wishes for a cozy and happy holiday season!