With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, my family is gearing up for our traditional Christmas get-together. Loved ones from ages 7 to 75 will gather in our coordinated pajamas and exchange a small mountain of gifts around the tree, then feast on way too much food — four or five turkeys with all the southern trimmings.
It’s all about food, family, and fellowship, and there’s a lot to do as we prepare. But through it all, safety is never far from my mind. And while fun and safety are not mutually exclusive, it’s easy to get distracted when you’re chatting with relatives, wrapping presents, or daydreaming about gifts.
That’s why at my house we have a simple safety checklist to go along with our holiday wish lists and keep our home hazard-free.
Start with Safe Decorating
- If using real candles, keep them far away from anything flammable, especially real trees.
- Keep real trees well-watered to keep them from drying out.
- Never daisy-chain extension cords or power strips; always buy decorations certified to a standard like UL 588, which ensures thicker-gauge wires and more flexible, long-lasting insulation.
Video
The Danger of Daisy-Chaining
Plugging multiple power strips or extension cords together to connect lighted decorations — a process called “daisy-chaining” — can cause an electrical fire. Here’s what to do instead.
Real Footage: ULSE Holiday Ethnographic Study
© 2025 ULSE / Video footage produced in partnership with Ipsos
Give the Gift of Safety
With electronic devices on many wish lists, it’s important to buy products that are tested and certified by a trusted, third-party safety organization. We’re all tempted to buy a cheaper, off-brand product, but I’d rather invest in safety and spend a few more dollars to keep my family safe.
Whether it’s phones or laptops, many devices we’ll give and receive are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can pose a serious fire risk if poorly made or improperly handled, so it’s important to always buy ones with certified batteries.
And many items, from toys to cameras, use button and coin-cell batteries which can easily be swallowed by small children. These tiny batteries are a choking hazard and can cause internal chemical burns if ingested, so devices using them should comply with UL 4200A, which includes requirements that battery compartments are secure against easy opening.
Be Kitchen Smart
Finally, Christmas is one of the biggest days of the year for home fires, and cooking is the number one cause. That’s why you should focus on safety as much as getting the recipes right:
- Never leave the stove unattended.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet from cooking areas.
- Make sure smoke alarms are working and tested.
- Keep a lid or baking sheet nearby to smother small grease fires, and a fire extinguisher handy in case things get worse.
I’ve learned that taking a few seconds to go down this checklist helps me focus on what really matters — time with my family. The holidays come and go, but safety should never take a vacation.
While cooking up happy memories with your loved ones this year, follow Santa’s example when it comes to safety: make a list and check it twice.
