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With the holiday season approaching it is a time for reflection, gratitude, and food gatherings with loved ones.
Yet, preparing the traditional meal comes with some risk, as the U.S. Fire Administration warns that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with an average of 4,000 resulting in more than $15 Million in property damage a year.
To help minimize the possibility of a catastrophe ruining the festivities, we put together this checklist of tips for community associations to share with their homeowners.
The following article, written by Chris Broad, Commercial Risk Advisor at Sahouri Insurance, was published in the November 2024 edition of Quorum Magazine.
What you will learn:
Holiday Cooking Safety
So, before Uncle Steve throws that frozen turkey into a deep fryer in your garage, keep these things in mind. Your turkey fryer should only be used outdoors on a level surface, separating it from one of your most valuable assets - your home.
Next, you should prioritize having an adult to keep an eye on it to avoid the fryer overheating. The younger members and pets in your family, although cute, are not the most self-aware and could potentially run into and knock over the fryer, causing serious injury; therefore, it is best to keep them inside, away from the deep-frying action. While diligently watching the bird, have safety equipment such as oven mitts, goggles, an apron, and a fire extinguisher nearby so that you can handle any possible accident.
Safe Holiday Entertaining
Once you have safely served your Thanksgiving spread there are a few more things to note while everyone is digging in. While eating the big meal an event of choking on food can occur, in this instance you should encourage the would-be victim to cough, if the issue persists perform back blows by using the palm of your hand on the guests’ back or finally perform the Heimlich maneuver.
After the meal, there is likely to be many delicious leftovers for that 2:00 a.m. turkey sandwich craving therefore all food must be stored in sealed containers within two hours of the food preparation so that no food goes bad.
For pet safety, although it may seem like you are doing them a favor by sharing a chicken or turkey bone with your furry friends, bones are susceptible to splintering and causing your animal to choke, opt for a biscuit instead.
Holiday Travel Precautions
Some other factors which can create safety hazards during the holiday season are the increased travel, and food and beverages of merriment consumption. To ensure a happy holiday, make sure to practice responsible travel procedures. Whenever you are behind the wheel make sure that all passengers buckle up, that you maintain your vehicle, be aware of dangerous weather conditions, and plan out your route ahead of time.
According to the National Highway Safety Association, more than 40% of holiday car accidents involve alcohol, so it is crucial that you and your family members make sure not to drink and drive. No break from safety for merriment is worth causing a serious accident or the legal implications of a temporary lapse of judgment.
Holiday Decoration Safety
Following the wonderment of Thanksgiving, we cruise into the end of the year holiday season, and a staple of this time is the festive lighting around the neighborhood. According to a 2020 report from the National Fire Protection Association, these lights cause an average of 770 fires each year. This is largely due to improper installment, so if you have Clark Griswold-like aspirations for your home decorations there are some key things to keep in mind.
First, make sure to purchase electrical decorations that have an Underwriter Laboratories rating on the label, which indicates that they have been tested for safe use. Keep on the lookout for any lights that have exposed wires, cracks, or loose connections. Lights should not be secured with staples or nails and make sure they are plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupting outlet which will safeguard from any interaction with water.
Lastly and most importantly, I want to wish you and yours a happy holiday season! Insurance agents are people, too, ya know.
About the Author
Chris Broad is a Commercial Risk Advisor at Sahouri Insurance, specializing in delivering comprehensive, cost-effective insurance solutions for Community Associations across the DMV area. He is a native of Leesburg, VA, and a proud University of South Carolina graduate. A passionate supporter of D.C. sports teams, he also actively contributes to the industry as a member of the Washington DC Metro and Chesapeake Regional chapters of the Community Associations Institute (CAI).
Click here to book a consultation with Chris. Click here to follow him on Linkedin.
About Quorum
"Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute’s monthly magazine is packed with articles and columns designed to help our readers preserve, protect, and enhance their communities by running productive meetings; enforcing rules in a consistent yet reasonable way; becoming familiar with the legislative and regulatory pressures facing the industry; planning and budgeting for repairs and replacements; performing preventive and ongoing maintenance, and understanding historical and contemporary trends in common interest development."
