T here’s nothing like the excitement of having friends and family visit for the holidays. Of course you want your home to look festive, but it’s also important to make sure that it’s safe for visitors who may arrive with full arms, or on a rainy or snowy night. Here are a few things you can do now to ensure the safety of your guests.
Your Home’s Exterior
As guests approach your home, either from the driveway or the street, make sure there is nothing that could trip them or otherwise catch them off-guard. Some things to evaluate during the day include:
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Walkways. Are your walkways smooth and void of tripping hazards? If you live in a colder climate, make sure that any ice is cleared. Clean and properly functioning gutters will help rainwater to flow away from your walkways, keeping them ice-free. If you’re tired of cleaning your gutters, consider having leaf-free gutter covers installed by Gutter Helmet® to ensure your gutters always work as they should.
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Decorations. Festive holiday lights require power and extension cords that can be tripping hazards. Make sure any cords on the ground don’t cross over your walkways. For decorations on your roof or siding, double-check that they are well-affixed to your home.
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Gutters. Although icicles are beautiful, they can be dangerous if they fall on your guests or on walkways. If your home experiences snow and ice in winter, consider installing a system like Helmet Heat® to reduce the chance that ice will form in your gutters. Not only can icicles fall and injure those below, too much weight in your gutters can cause them to fail.
Inside Your Home
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Change your air filters. If you can’t remember the last time you changed the filters on your HVAC system, it’s past time to do it. The general recommendation is to change them every 30-90 days, depending on the style and brand you choose. Clean filters keep the air in your home cleaner.
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Clean your chimney. Nothing feels comfier during the holidays than a fire. A professionally-swept chimney protects you and your loved ones from fire hazards.
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Use safe lighting. If you have holiday lights hung on a tree or decorating your home, be sure to follow manufacturer recommendations about the maximum number of strands that can be strung together. Never run electrical cords under area rugs – the friction can cause fires.
Prepare for the Season With Gutter Helmet®
Having a safe home for your family and guests throughout the holiday season can be easy with a little preparation. It’s not too late to contact your local Gutter Helmet® representative to ask about leaf-free gutter covers, and learn why we have the best gutter guard reviews of any gutter protection product. If you live in a climate that’s prone to ice and snow, be sure to ask how Helmet Heat can reduce ice build-up in your gutters. Call (800) 824-3772 today!
