Holiday Safety Tips for Your Tenants

Sharing holiday safety tips with your tenants is essential to protect them, their guests, and your property. From kitchen fires to decoration hazards, a little guidance can prevent potential emergencies. Use your tenant newsletter, a quick email, or a text message to provide these helpful reminders and keep everyone safe this holiday season.

The holidays are full of celebrations, from Thanksgiving feasts to December festivities, but increased activity can also bring safety risks. Landlords and property managers should proactively share holiday safety tips to help tenants enjoy the season without incident.

Kitchen Safety Tips to Prevent Fires:

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 51% of home fires start in the kitchen. Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking-related fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve. Inexperienced cooks trying traditional holiday recipes can increase this risk. Remind your tenants of these simple safety tips:

• Test smoke alarms before cooking to ensure they work.

• Never leave food unattended on the stove.

• Keep stovetops clear of utensils, oven mitts, or other flammable items.

• Avoid cooking under the influence of alcohol or medications.

• Monitor turkeys or other large dishes and do not leave the home while cooking.

• Keep children at least 3 feet from hot surfaces, liquids, and sharp utensils.

• Check cords on seasonal appliances and ensure they are not frayed.

• Clean up spills and keep floors clear to prevent slips while carrying hot items.

• Educate tenants on safely extinguishing grease or electrical fires.

Holiday Decoration Safety:

With the holiday season comes festive decorating. Remind tenants to take precautions to avoid accidents and property damage:

• Replace worn or frayed cords on electric decorations.

• Turn off all decorations when sleeping or leaving home.

• Avoid overloading outlets; connect no more than three strings of lights together.

• Avoid traditional candles, and to use candle warmers instead. Never leave them unattended. Ensure fireplaces and space heaters are properly maintained and supervised.

• Ensure cords are not pinched or forced into tight spaces.

• Keep live trees watered and away from heat sources; use fire-resistant artificial trees and have a fire extinguisher nearby.

• Use ladders safely, maintain three points of contact, and follow the 1-to-4 extension

  rule.

  
  

Pet Safety Tips:

Holidays can pose unique risks to pets. Tenants should keep the following in mind:

• Keep chocolate, alcohol, and certain holiday foods (like grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic) out of reach—these are toxic to pets.

• Secure electrical cords and string lights to prevent chewing hazards.

• Avoid small decorations or tinsel that pets could swallow, causing choking or intestinal blockages.

• Keep candles, fireplaces, and space heaters away from pets to prevent burns.

• Ensure holiday plants such as poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly are out of reach—they can be poisonous.

• Provide a quiet, safe space for pets during busy holiday gatherings to reduce stress.

• Monitor pets around doors during holiday parties to prevent accidental escapes.

  
  

Travel Safety Tips:

If tenants plan to be away for an extended period, remind them to securely lock all doors and windows before leaving. This simple step helps prevent theft, water damage, and other potential emergencies. Since December is a peak month for burglaries, encourage tenants to follow standard safety precautions, including securing all entry points and keeping valuables safely stored.

Final Thoughts:

A quick newsletter, email, or text message can go a long way in keeping your tenants and property safe. A little preparation—especially regarding kitchen fires and decoration hazards—can help ensure a safe, happy, and stress-free holiday season for everyone.