Holiday Home Safety Tips Every Houston Homeowner Should Know

December is the most wonderful time of the year — and statistically, also one of the most dangerous for home fires, electrical issues, and water damage. Between holiday cooking, decorating, and entertaining, your home takes extra stress. Here’s how to enjoy the season without the emergencies.

Outdoor Lighting: Do It Right

Holiday lights cause more than 700 house fires each year in the US. Follow these rules when decorating:

• Only use lights rated for outdoor use on the exterior of your home
• Check each strand for frayed wires, broken sockets, or cracked insulation before hanging
• Never overload an outlet — use a power strip with a built-in circuit breaker for multiple strands
• Turn off all holiday lights before going to bed or leaving home
• Keep extension cords away from high-traffic areas to prevent tripping hazards

Kitchen Fire Prevention During Holiday Cooking

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two peak days for home cooking fires. Never leave cooking food unattended on the stovetop, keep flammable items (towels, curtains, wooden spoons) away from burners, and keep a fire extinguisher within reach of the kitchen. In Houston, deep-fried turkey is a holiday tradition — never fry a turkey indoors or in a garage, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Prepare Your Plumbing for Guests

Hosting family means your plumbing handles extra load. Avoid pouring grease or fibrous foods down the kitchen drain, space out showers by 10 minutes to allow the water heater to recover, and remind guests that “flushable” wipes are not actually safe for your plumbing. If you have a slow drain, address it before guests arrive — not during the holiday dinner.

Protect Your Home While Traveling

If you’re leaving town for the holidays, turn off the water supply to washing machines (hose failures are a leading cause of home water damage), set the thermostat no lower than 55°F, use smart plugs to put interior lights on timers, pause newspaper delivery, and ask a neighbor to check on the property. In Houston, even mild winter storms can cause roof and gutter issues while you’re away.