We’ve provided a number of tips geared toward ensuring that you and your family can remain safe should you decide to travel for the holidays. But we realize that a large portion of the population will be the ones hosting the festivities. Such a situation can be a joyful way to pass the time with family and friends, but a party can also wreak havoc on those friendships if a safety hazard presents itself. When you host a get-together, you have to be absolutely sure that you take the necessary safety precautions so that you’re not held liable for any potential injuries. A news release provides some great tips on ensuring that your home is safe for guests.
Safety begins before guests even enter the door. If you live in an area where snowfall is the norm, be ready to go into action if a storm hits prior to a party. Shovel the snow from both the sidewalks near your residence and the driveway. If ice has accumulated beneath the layer of snow, then have some sand ready so that you can sprinkle it on the ground and eliminate the slippage threat. If you’re like many people in California and holiday lights have inundated your home, make sure the cords are out of the way and in a position where an individual wouldn’t be able to trip on them. And to further ensure that all other hazards are mitigated, be sure to turn on your front lights and do whatever else you can to increase visibility.
You then ought to make sure that your home has been adequately prepared for guests. That means that no hazards should exist within that could pose an injury, especially when it comes to open flames. Although they can add to the overall ambiance of your residence, candles and fireplaces can do serious harm if left unattended for any period of time. Fire safety is paramount throughout the year, but if your home is filled to bursting with guests, it becomes especially important. The last thing you want is for a fire to break out and cause everyone to scramble all over each other in a mad dash for the exit. Close the fireplace curtains if you light a fire, and also keep any candles high on a stable surface so that kids and pets can’t reach them.
Finally, safety extends to when guests leave your home. Perhaps your family or friends have a tendency to imbibe egg nog and other alcoholic beverages in large quantities. You might be held liable if you allow a visibly intoxicated guest to drive home and they get in a crash. To avoid such a situation, request that designated drivers be made available. If none are on hand, then consider letting guests stay the night or call a cab so that they can get home safely.