The last thing you want to deal with during the holidays is a home insurance claim due to a fire, broken pipe, or other type of damage. To avoid this type of trouble, it's important to maintain your house and the surrounding areas properly. Below are some important home safety tips to help you have a safe holiday season.

5 Home Holiday Safety Suggestions

1. Take Fireplace Precautions

Never leave a lit fireplace unattended, and always use a metal screen to prevent cinders from popping out and debris from being blown into the fireplace. Keep the area clear of pine boughs, gifts, and wrapping, and make sure you leave the flue open to allow ventilation. Never burn wrapping paper or cardboard—it could pose a serious fire hazard. Instead, dispose of wrappers and gift boxes in the trash.

2. Insulate Outdoor Faucets

To avoid frozen pipes, cover outdoor faucets with foam insulators available at any home store for just a few dollars. Frozen pipes can burst and cause water damage, resulting in expensive repairs and a troublesome home insurance claim.

3. Use the Right Lights

To avoid electrical problems and potential shock, use only holiday lights rated for outdoor use to decorate your yard and house exterior. The bulbs should all work and the cords should show no fraying. If the string is visibly damaged, discard it and buy a new one.

4. Practice Ladder Safety

When assembling decorations or hanging lights, practice ladder safety. Never mount the top two steps, and always have a helper steady the ladder while you are hanging up ornaments. This could help you avoid both a home insurance claim and a trip to the emergency room.

5. Water the Tree

Christmas tree fires occur an average of 170 times per year in the U.S. You can mitigate the risk by keeping the tree properly hydrated. Water it daily and keep it away from open flames. When watered properly, the pine needles should not brush off easily and should bend instead of break.

To discuss your home insurance coverage options with an experienced agent, contact Goggans Insurance in Scottsboro, AL. They have been serving Jackson County for more than 30 years and specialize in home, auto, farm, motorcycle, and business insurance. Visit their website to view location information or call (256) 574-3440 to request a quote.