{"id":713,"date":"2014-12-18T22:17:48","date_gmt":"2014-12-19T03:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thefloridainsuranceblog.com\/?p=713"},"modified":"2026-04-16T21:43:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T01:43:47","slug":"let-accidents-ruin-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/2014\/let-accidents-ruin-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Not Let Accidents Ruin Your Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Decorating your home with Christmas trees, wreaths, lights and ornaments help make the season merry and bright. \u00a0\u201cMy family looks forward to getting out some of the same decorations we have had for years that hold special memories for us during the holidays,\u201d says <a _blank=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dustyns\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>With all the sparkle and festivity, Christmas decorating can pose a threat if you are not safe. The most common days for home candle fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n<p>While GreatFlorida does not advocate being a Scrooge to prevent accidents and injuries, we do believe in safety. While you are busy channeling your inner Clark Griswold and spreading joy and cheer with your creations, keep in mind the following safety tips.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Christmas Trees<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nfpa.org\/safety-information\/for-consumers\/holidays\/christmas-tree-fires\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">National Fire Protection Association <\/a>(NFPA), Christmas trees are responsible for $18.3 million in direct property damage annually. \u00a0NFPA makes some recommendations to keep your Christmas tree safe and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pick a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Before placing the tree in a stand, cut off 2 inches from the base of the trunk for better water absorption.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Be sure to add water daily<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep your Christmas tree a minimum of 3 feet from any heat source including, the fireplace, radiator, heat vent or candles.<img alt=\"holiday light with plug\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-731 lazyload\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.thefloridainsuranceblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug-300x225.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug-696x522.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug.jpg 800w\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"225\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/225;\" width=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug-696x522.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/holiday-light-with-plug.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Holiday D\u00e9cor\/ Lights<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/esfi.org\/favicon.ico\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Electrical Safety Foundation International<\/a> (ESFi), found more than 86 percent of Americans decorate their homes during the winter holidays. \u00a0Over 50,000 fires are attributed to electrical problems every year. Don\u2019t let your home be a casualty.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Inspect your lights and dispose of any that are damaged or look worn out.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Turn off lights and decorations when you are going to bed or leaving the house.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>When hanging lights outdoors, use a wooden or fiberglass ladder.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Make sure cords are not pinched in doors, windows or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord\u2019s insulation.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Consider purchasing LED lights, they burn cooler than traditional lights and they are energy efficient.<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Falls<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Those using ladders, stools and other furniture to hang lights, ornaments and additional decorations increase their risk of injuries and\u00a0falls during the holiday season, according to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Recognize the possibility that you could fall.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Use safe ladder practices such as making sure the ladder is secure and level, do not overreach and do not stand on the top two rungs.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Try using a step stool instead of furniture when hanging decorations.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Watch for fall hazards on the floor including cords and decorations.<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a> is your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Florida insurance agency<\/a>. We offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/homeowners-insurance\" target=\"_blank\">homeowners insurance<\/a> with the top insurance carriers from across the nation. GreatFlorida can also find an affordable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/healthcare-insurance\" target=\"_blank\">health insurance <\/a>policy to fit your budget and your needs. Give us a call or go online for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/get-a-quote\">quote today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"xmass-tree-infographic-011\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-729 lazyload\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.thefloridainsuranceblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/xmass-tree-infographic-011.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/xmass-tree-infographic-011.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/xmass-tree-infographic-011-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/xmass-tree-infographic-011-150x202.jpg 150w\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"806\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/806;\" width=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/xmass-tree-infographic-011.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/xmass-tree-infographic-011-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/xmass-tree-infographic-011-150x202.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Decorating your home with Christmas trees, wreaths, lights and ornaments help make the season merry and bright. \u00a0\u201cMy family looks forward to getting out some of the same decorations we have had for years that hold special memories for us during the holidays,\u201d says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance. With all the sparkle [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1219,"featured_media":728,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,13,5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-713","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-floridainsurance","8":"category-healthcare-insurance","9":"category-homeowners-insurance"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1219"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=713"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13970,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713\/revisions\/13970"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/728"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}