10 Holiday Safety Tips You Need to Know

Halloween has come and gone which means Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years are just around the corner. With these holidays come plenty of family and friends, traveling, decorating, baking, and more – and all the more reason to brush up on safety tips to protect yourself and your #HOA community.

  1. Replace batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and check to make sure they’re in proper working order.
  2. Avoid overloading electrical outlets when plugging in decorations, whether indoors or outdoors.
  3. If you’re going away for the holidays, put a stop on your mail or ask a neighbor to collect it for you so it is not as obvious that you are gone. Also, set lights in your home on adjustable timers to give the impression that your home is occupied.
  4. If you put up a live Christmas tree, ensure that it has plenty of water each day. Dry trees can be a dangerous fire hazard.
  5. Stay close when cooking or baking in the kitchen and pay attention to what you are doing so food does not burn or catch fire.
  6. Keep cords and decorations out of the way so that they do not become tripping hazards or fire hazards.
  7. Have your chimney cleaned and your HVAC unit inspected or serviced to keep them in good shape and ready for use.
  8. Lock your car doors and bring valuables inside to reduce interest from potential thieves. If possible, park your car in your garage or close to your home rather than along the street.
  9. Pay attention to your surroundings, especially when out after dark. If you see something suspicious, notify authorities.
  10. Stay alert when driving because there may be poor road conditions, increased traffic, or distracted pedestrians.

In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, make sure you’re taking the time to slow down, think through what you are doing, and using common sense. It can be helpful to write yourself a daily to-do list such as watering the tree, unplugging lights, removing gifts or bags from your car, and double-checking that doors are locked or security systems are set. Also, if you are going to be away, let a trusted neighbor or friend know so that they can check in on your home and make sure that everything is secure and there is no suspicious activity.

If everyone works together, the HOA community can remain a safer, more enjoyable place during the holiday season and throughout the year. Don’t forget to keep in touch with your community manager for more support and guidance in creating a safe environment.

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Bryan Kuester

Bryan Kuester

Bryan is the CEO of Kuester Management Group. He has over 15 years of managing community associations throughout North and South Carolina.

His specialties include Community Association Management - maintenance, budgeting for operational and reserve funding, long-range planning, covenant enforcement, amenity management, onsite management, large scale management.