Mi-Ling Stone Poole –

During the winter months many of us are traveling in and out of town to visit with family and friends and we don’t take the necessary precautions to keep our homes safe from would be thieves and fire danger.

Before you hit the road keep these tips in mind.

All of those holiday lights inside are beautiful but don’t overload your outlets with additional extension cords. Check your lights for broken bulbs and replace them or throw the lights away. Pay close attention to the amount of lights you can actually plug into your Christmas tree or buy pre-lit trees for peace of mind.

If you buy a fresh tree you must keep it hydrated and switch out any old lights for newer versions that will not get hot and cause a fire if a dry branch comes into contact with the lights.

Take a walk around your home and make sure that electrical cords are not exposed to water or in an area where your guests or family members might trip.

Be sure to use only outdoor lighting and cords for outside.

Don’t block walkways or put decorations in an area that will provide a hiding place for unwanted guests.

Even though we want our neighbors to see our beautifully decorated trees keep the Christmas gifts out of sight. It might be better to place a decorated tree in a front window for show and have your family tree away from peering eyes.

As always don’t keep gifts in your car or trunk to hide from your family members instead find a secure place in your home to keep them hidden.

If you’re going to be out of town, keep your house well-lit and makes sure you have your mail and paper stopped so it won’t be obvious no one is home.

If you forget you can stop your mail and paper online from your destination.

All of these tips will bring added security to your home and increase your changes of having a happy holiday or stress free vacation.

Share your safety tips!