Hosting Tips for Safe, Happy Holidays
The holiday season is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to gather with friends and family, sharing stories over a home-cooked meal. For many, Thanksgiving or Christmas is a day to simply show up and enjoy. But for the host, it can be a very stressful time. However, with some planning and preparation, you can throw the greatest (and safest) holiday yet!
Plan Ahead
Once you’ve set a date and time, send out a group message or invitation to your guests and ask them to confirm their attendance. You want a good idea of how many people to expect, but you never know if Uncle Billy is going to swing by with three extra people you’ve never met. In other words, it’s best to expect the unexpected.
Know what’s cooking (and who’s bringing it)
Whether you plan to divide food responsibilities among guests or prepare everything yourself, you will need to lock in a menu early. If your holiday is “potluck” style or your guests will be bringing a dish, you’ll want to avoid ending up with seven hams and no sides. Online tools like SignUpGenius can help you stay organized by allowing your guests to sign up for what they plan to prepare.
Shop early
Avoid the last-minute shopping frenzy. Traffic is heavy, the weather is unpredictable, and everyone is in a rush. Your safest bet is to stock your pantry and fridge at least a week in advance. The more you can check off your list early, the better!
Cook carefully
Did you know that there are more residential fires on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year? Since the kitchen is often where trouble starts, keep these cooking fire safety tips in mind:
- Never leave the stovetop unattended
- Avoid long sleeves, hanging fabrics, and keep your hair pulled back
- Set timers and check oven dishes frequently
- Test your smoke alarms regularly
For additional tips to keep your holiday from going up in flames, visit the National Fire Protection Association® online.
Prepare your home for guests
Imagine this: your guests have arrived, everyone is having a great time, and the only thing that would make the evening more perfect is a cozy fire in the fireplace—the one you haven’t used in years. You light the fire, expecting seasonal magic, but instead you get smoke and sirens. A little preparation ahead of time could’ve saved the night (and your living room).
When hosting a holiday gathering, it’s best to assume everything that can go wrong will go wrong. Since it’s better to be safe than sorry, remember to prepare your home before guests arrive. Here are some simple tips to make your space safe and sound, inside and out:
Security & theft
Remember when we said Uncle Billy might show up with three extra people you’ve never met? Well, one of them just left the party with your diamond earrings in his pocket. Before you open your home, make sure all valuables are stored away, lock doors to rooms you want off-limits, and consider installing security or doorbell cameras.
Slips, trips, & falls
Make sure your outdoor walkways are clear of ice, leaves, and other hazards like loose bricks. Indoors, secure rugs, rearrange furniture to create space for guests, and keep your rooms well-lit.
Electrical safety
Before you go full Clark Griswold, remember what happened to his Christmas tree. With all the extra lights, bells, and whistles around the holidays, it’s best to prioritize holiday electrical safety tips like these:
- Avoid overloading outlets and extension cords
- Consider LED lights which use less energy and reduce the risk of overheating
- Pay attention to whether your lights are meant for indoor or outdoor use
- Inspect cords and lights for damage, and discard or replace any that are unsafe
For more information on electrical safety, visit Electrical Safety Foundation International online.
One last tip...
Take a moment to enjoy the celebration that you made possible! You’ve planned ahead, prepared your home, and done everything in your power to ensure a safe and happy holiday. Still, even with careful planning, the season can bring a little more chaos than cheer. Having flexible coverage from Alfa Insurance in place ahead of time helps you focus on laughter, family, and making memories. Here’s to a season well hosted!
Happy Holidays!
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