Family, friends, and festivities should be the focus of the holiday season, but don’t let this joyous time be marred by fire, theft, accidents, and other disasters, advises the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). Taking simple steps and having the right insurance coverage can reduce these seasonal hazards.

Start with these five safety tips:

5 Tips for Disaster-Free Festivities

1. Be Fire Safe

December is the peak month for fires caused by candles. Christmas tree-related fires, while not as common as candle fires, are much more likely to be deadly.

Decorations and cooking are the two leading causes of home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Do not put decorations too close to a heat source when decorating for the holidays, and never leave the stove unattended while cooking. Always be sure to have smoke alarms in working condition.

In the event of a fire, evacuate immediately. And prepare by developing and practicing a home fire escape plan with the whole family.

Homeowners and renters insurance policies cover fire, smoke, and water damage.

2. Protect Your Identity

Whether shopping online or in a brick-and-mortar store, the hustle and bustle of the holidays creates a perfect opportunity for thieves looking to steal your credit card information.

To protect yourself, shop at reputable stores and check your credit card statements regularly, and if you find anything unusual, report it to your credit card company immediately. If your wallet is either lost or stolen, contact the police and your credit card company as soon as you can.

Many standard homeowners insurance policies now include identity theft coverage. Moreover, most homeowners and renters policies provide some coverage for stolen cash or unauthorized use of your credit card.

3. Burglar-Proof Your Home

December is the fifth most common month in which burglaries occur, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

If you’re traveling over the holidays, have mail and packages picked up or held by the post office, use automatic timers to turn lights on and off at appropriate times, and have a dependable neighbor check on the house periodically.

Consider making your home more secure with deadbolt locks, window grates, and smoke/fire/burglar alarms. An added benefit: most insurers provide discounts for devices that make a home safer.

Personal possessions are covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies—even holiday gifts stored in your car!

4. Be a Responsible Party Host

Throwing a holiday bash? Party hosts who serve alcohol at their gatherings can be held liable for injuries to a third party caused by a drunken guest.

Protect yourself—and your guests—by promoting safe alcohol consumption and having the proper social host liability insurance coverage.

To be a responsible host:

  • Encourage guests to pick a designated driver.
  • Offer non-alcoholic beverages and always serve food.
  • Stop serving liquor toward the end of the evening.
  • If guests drink too much or seem too tired to drive home, call a cab, arrange a ride with a sober guest, or have them sleep at your home.

5. Drive Safely—Especially in Winter Conditions

Safe driving and well-maintained vehicles take on even greater importance in winter.

  • Give yourself enough time to arrive at your destination; never rush in rainy, snowy, or icy conditions.
  • Stay off the road between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. when drunk driving accidents are most likely.
  • Obey speed limits and avoid all distractions (no texting, eating, grooming!) while behind the wheel.
  • Keep your gas tank full. Stormy weather or traffic delays that force you to change routes or turn back can result in the use of more gas.

If you have an accident, understand your auto insurance coverage and how to file a claim.

Source: Insurance Information Institute

Read Other Blog Posts

Apartment living room

Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

Taking a trip and exploring the world is fun, but leaving your home unoccupied has some risks.  Before departing, protect your property from accidents and criminals by considering the following precautions.
Male teen driver

5 Tips for Adding a Teen to Your Auto Policy

If your teen is approaching driving age, it may be time to start thinking about your plan for adding them to your auto insurance policy. Here are five tips to consider when adding a teen to your auto insurance policy.
Night driving

Understanding the Risks of Speeding

According to NHTSA data, speeding kills more than 12,000 people behind the wheel each year, contributing to nearly one-third (29%) of all traffic fatalities. With this in mind, it’s important to understand what causes speeding and how to prevent it.
Mold

Keeping Mold Out of Your Home

Mold not only damages your property, but it can also cause serious health complications after long-term exposure. With this in mind, try these prevention tips to keep mold out of your home.
Burglary

Tips for Preventing Home Burglaries

As a homeowner, you must protect your property from various risks, such as burglaries. To limit your chances of becoming the victim of a home burglary, consider the following steps for daily life.
Ensuring Peace of Mind: The Importance of Wedding Insurance

Ensuring Peace of Mind: The Importance of Wedding Insurance

Protect your big day with wedding insurance coverage. Whether safeguarding your attire, ensuring vendor reliability, or providing peace of mind against unexpected mishaps, we've got you covered so you can focus on making memories that last a lifetime.
Spring Cleaning for your Insurance

Spring Cleaning for your Insurance

As you tackle spring cleaning tasks, consider reviewing your insurance policies for any necessary updates. Ensuring your coverage is current and aligned with your needs offers peace of mind as you welcome the warmer seasons ahead.
Mistakes to Avoid when Applying for Auto Insurance

Mistakes to Avoid when Applying for Auto Insurance

Overlooking errors on your auto insurance application can result in significant consequences. Providing inaccurate information may lead to higher premiums, policy cancellations, or inadequate coverage during accidents.

Visit Our Homeowners Insurance Page

Homeowners Insurance

At Murphy Insurance, we take great care in assessing your options for homeowners insurance to ensure that you receive the most favorable value. Our dedication to serving you entails collaborating with highly-rated insurance providers and conducting comprehensive assessments of available choices. Our goal is to achieve the ideal equilibrium between affordability and coverage that suits your unique needs. Please let us provide you with a customized homeowners insurance quote.