Have A Merry (And Safe) Christmas Holiday

[This article first appeared here in December 2020 and has been expanded and revised.]

For most people, the holidays stretch from Halloween till the morning of New Year's Day. That's nine wonderful weeks. And staying safe makes them even better.

No one wants to be a victim of a theft, of an avoidable illness or injury, or simply an inconvenient accident, especially during the holidays. 

Be of Good Cheer - By Being Safe

Playing it safe doesn't you can't play, but it does mean playing smart and being aware. Too often we can let the spirit of the season - and the crush of celebrating - overwhelm us. And that's when we overlook things, disregard or dismiss things, and generally put ourselves at risk. 

But the holidays don't have to be a time of lost wallets, twisted ankles, or stolen gifts. You can enjoy all the fun, food, family, and friends while still being safe (and merry!)

A Checklist for You to Check Once - and Twice

It's one thing to know you need to be safe and aware, but it's another thing to know what to be aware of and how to stay safe. 

With that in mind, we put together this handy checklist to help you have a merry - and safe - Christmas holiday.

Ensuring a Safe and Merry Christmas: Essential Tips

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it's also a period that demands extra attention to safety within our homes. As we deck the halls and embrace the festive spirit, it's essential to take precautions to keep our homes safe and secure. Here are some crucial tips for homeowners to ensure a delightful and hazard-free Christmas.

1. Mindful Decoration Practices

Brightening your home with festive decorations is a cherished tradition. Ensure your decorations are flame-retardant, especially if using lights on or near your Christmas tree. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and always turn off decorative lights when leaving the house or going to bed to prevent potential fire hazards.

2. Safe Christmas Tree Handling

If you opt for a live Christmas tree, keep it well-watered to prevent it from drying out. Dry trees pose a significant fire risk. Position your tree away from heat sources, such as fireplaces or heaters, and check the tree's stability regularly to avoid accidental toppling.

3. Secure Your Home

The holiday season often means more valuable items in our homes, making it a prime time for burglaries. Ensure all doors and windows are securely locked when leaving the house or retiring for the night. Consider installing smart home security systems or timers for lights to give the illusion of someone being home, deterring potential intruders.

4. Electrical Safety

Inspect your home for any electrical issues. Faulty wiring or overloaded circuits can lead to fires. Consider having a professional electrician conduct an inspection to ensure everything is in proper working order. Be mindful of where extension cords are placed, avoiding walkways to prevent tripping hazards.

5. Kitchen Safety

The heart of many holiday celebrations is the kitchen, and it's important to prioritize safety in this space. Avoid leaving cooking unattended, especially when using stovetops or ovens. Keep flammable items, such as kitchen towels and oven mitts, away from heat sources.

6. Pet Safety

Pets are part of the family and ensuring their safety during the holiday season is essential. Keep potentially harmful decorations, plants, and foods out of their reach. Be cautious with tinsel, ribbons, and small decorations that could be choking hazards.

7. Prepare for Winter Weather

Depending on your location, winter weather might bring snow and ice. Keep walkways and driveways clear to prevent slips and falls. Have necessary supplies on hand for clearing pathways and ensure your heating system is in proper working order to keep your home warm and comfortable.

8. Junk Removal and Clutter Management

The festive season often means an influx of gifts and decorations. Consider decluttering and removing unnecessary items to prevent a crowded and potentially hazardous living space. Hire a junk removal service to help clear out unwanted items, ensuring a safer environment for you and your family.

In conclusion, while the holidays are a time of merriment and togetherness, it's crucial to prioritize safety within our homes. By following these tips and taking proactive measures, homeowners can ensure a joyful and secure Christmas season for all. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday!

Safe at Home for the Holidays

Staying safe through the holidays also includes staying healthy. For many, this also means getting their flu shots, for others it includes shingles vaccine shots, and for many more it can mean getting up-to-date on the most recent recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster.

Depending on where you live this holiday season, there may be some concerns when coming together with family and friends. COVID-19 variants are still active and some are looking to see cases this holiday season.

One source put it this way,

Whether you’re getting on a plane to visit extended family for Thanksgiving or Christmas or planning a New Year’s Eve party at home, you may be preparing to gather with the people you love during the holiday season.

Unfortunately the holiday months are prime time for respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

How bad will the upcoming respiratory virus season be? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts this year will likely be a repeat of last year, which means an uptick in hospitalizations compared with pre-pandemic seasons.

In addition, the CDC has also warned that,

Flu activity in the United States is currently low and although the timing, intensity, and severity of the upcoming flu season cannot be predicted, it is likely to increase over the fall and winter. Flu vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against flu and its potentially serious outcomes. RSV activity in the United States is also low currently and is likely to increase.

At Junk King, we don't take this health of our customer or our crews lightly and have gone to great lengths to ensure that our junk removal services are safe and compliant in light of the guidelines and direction provided by the CDC and other agencies.

We continue maintain a six foot distance from every customer and our junk haulers can pick up at your curbside if you prefer, and not have to enter your home. Gloves, masks, and hand sanitizers are provided on every truck used to protect you and our haulers.

In addition, you can pay for our services over the phone to limit social exposure.

Because everyone wants to have a safe and healthy holiday season!

After the Holidays - Trash Removal and Junk Hauling is Covered!

Whether you are cleaning up your home after the Christmas extravaganza, or preparing for the upcoming spring, we can provide you with the tools you need to get rid of unwanted junk.  Our professional and friendly crew can do the heavy lifting and hauling for you or, by renting one of our handy MINI Dumpsters, or purchase one convenient JK Dumpster Bags®

Either way, we have the best solutions for you.

After you call, our expert and insured trash removal team will call 15 to 30 minutes before we arrive at your home. And once we do arrive, we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your items take up in our truck.

Then you just point and we’ll haul your items into our junk removal trucks, all with no hidden fees.

Ready to get rid of your holiday junk? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3.

You make an appointment by booking online above or by calling us at 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).