Safety Tips for Avoiding Home Insurance Claims During the Holidays

The holidays can be a joyous and beautiful time when you and your loved ones show appreciation for one another. Yet even during this season of celebration, you must diligently consider possible accidents and other unexpected situations that might suddenly turn your holiday season upside down. Many risks and perils related to your home can be exacerbated during this time of year, necessitating appropriate preparedness.

Curbing Risk for Common Holiday-related Home Insurance Claims

Your home insurance policy can be a versatile tool for protecting against the financial implications of many common accidents and incidents in your residence. While holiday-related perils and hazards may often be covered, you should still take appropriate precautions to prevent them from happening in the first place. Consider the following common claims and how to avoid them:

• Fires—Preparing holiday meals, lighting candles and stringing up lights may all be exciting parts of the season. However, they may all increase the risk of a home fire. Never leave cooking appliances unattended, extinguish all candles when you leave the room and be careful not to overload outlets.
• Guest injuries—If you’re hosting friends, family and other guests for the holidays, you could be held liable for incidents in which they’re injured. Be sure to keep sidewalks clear of ice and snow, clean up any spills promptly and take steps to avoid food contamination to keep your guests healthy and safe.
• Burglaries—Daylight hours during the holiday season are at their lowest throughout the calendar year, potentially emboldening burglars and other criminals tempted by the presence of gifts and other valuables. Keep doors and windows locked, and do not leave valuable items in plain sight. Motion sensors for outdoor lighting and home security systems may also be advisable precautions.
• Water damage—Given the often wet and frigid conditions of the holiday season, you should avoid allowing festivities to distract you from home maintenance. Insulate pipes; set out mats for wet garments and footwear; and clear your roof, gutters and downspouts of snow and ice to limit the risk of water damage.

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