--- title: "Home For The Holidays: Ways To Keep Your Home Safe" description: We're all home for the holidays-- here's how to keep your home safe this season. image: https://blog.emford.com/hubfs/HFH%20SOCIAL%20.png --- - [** ](https://twitter.com/EMFord1925) - [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/em-ford-%26-company-llc/) - [Contact](https://emford.com/contact/) - [Owensboro, KY Insurance](https://emford.com/contact/owensboro-ky-insurance/) - [Henderson, KY Insurance](https://emford.com/contact/henderson-ky-insurance/) - [Louisville, KY Insurance](https://emford.com/contact/louisville-ky-insurance/) - [Client Center](https://emford.com/client-center/) - [Our RiskGuide Blog](https://emford.com/riskguide/) - [info@emford.com](mailto:info@emford.com) - [Call 270-926-2806](tel:270-926-2806) [![E M Ford](https://blog.emford.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/EMFord_May2020/images/Logo-EM-Ford.png?width=200&height=445&name=Logo-EM-Ford.png "E M Ford")](https://emford.com/) * ** * - [About](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/) - [Meet Our Team](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/meet-our-team/) - [Amazing Feedback](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/amazing-feedback/) - [We Are Independent](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/we-are-independent/) - [Our BIGN Partnership](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/our-bign-partnership/) - [Personal Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/) - [Home Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/home-insurance/) - [Auto Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/auto-insurance/) - [Individual Life Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/individual-life-insurance/) - [Motorcycle Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/motorcycle-insurance/) - [Condo Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/condo-insurance/) - [More Personal Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/) - [Business Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/) - [Business Owners Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/business-owners-insurance/) - [eCommerce Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/ecommerce-insurance/) - [School Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/specialized-business-insurance/school-insurance/) - [Trucking Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/specialized-business-insurance/trucking-insurance/) - [Manufacturer Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/specialized-business-insurance/manufacturer-insurance/) - [More Business Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/) - [Employee Benefits](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/) - [Group Health Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-health-insurance/) - [Group Dental Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-dental-insurance/) - [Group Vision Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-vision-insurance/) - [Group Voluntary Benefits](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-voluntary-benefits/) - [Disability Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/disability-insurance/) - [More Employee Benefits](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/) - [Financial Planning](https://emford.com/financial-planning/) - [Request A Quote](https://emford.com/insurance-quote/) - [About](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/) - [Meet Our Team](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/meet-our-team/) - [Amazing Feedback](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/amazing-feedback/) - [We Are Independent](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/we-are-independent/) - [Our BIGN Partnership](https://emford.com/about-our-agency/our-bign-partnership/) - [Personal Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/) - [Home Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/home-insurance/) - [Auto Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/auto-insurance/) - [Individual Life Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/individual-life-insurance/) - [Motorcycle Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/motorcycle-insurance/) - [Condo Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/condo-insurance/) - [More Personal Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/) - [Business Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/) - [Business Owners Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/business-owners-insurance/) - [eCommerce Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/ecommerce-insurance/) - [School Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/specialized-business-insurance/school-insurance/) - [Trucking Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/specialized-business-insurance/trucking-insurance/) - [Manufacturer Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/specialized-business-insurance/manufacturer-insurance/) - [More Business Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/) - [Employee Benefits](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/) - [Group Health Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-health-insurance/) - [Group Dental Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-dental-insurance/) - [Group Vision Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-vision-insurance/) - [Group Voluntary Benefits](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-voluntary-benefits/) - [Disability Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/disability-insurance/) - [More Employee Benefits](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/) - [Financial Planning](https://emford.com/financial-planning/) - [Request A Quote](https://emford.com/insurance-quote/) - [Contact](https://emford.com/contact/) - [Owensboro, KY Insurance](https://emford.com/contact/owensboro-ky-insurance/) - [Henderson, KY Insurance](https://emford.com/contact/henderson-ky-insurance/) - [Louisville, KY Insurance](https://emford.com/contact/louisville-ky-insurance/) - [Client Center](https://emford.com/client-center/) - [Our RiskGuide Blog](https://emford.com/riskguide/) - [info@emford.com](mailto:info@emford.com) - [Call 270-926-2806](tel:270-926-2806) ##### [Owensboro, KY Insurance](https://emford.com/contact/owensboro-ky-insurance/) 600 Frederica Street Owensboro, KY 42301 - [** ](https://twitter.com/EMFord1925) - [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/em-ford-%26-company-llc/) # Home For The Holidays: Ways To Keep Your Home Safe By [ EM Ford ](https://blog.emford.com/author/em-ford) December 3, 2020 [ No Comments](https://blog.emford.com/home-for-the-holidays-keeping-your-home-safe#comments-listing) The Christmas Countdown is on, and we’re only 22 days away from the big day. Although the holiday season may look a little different this year, there are still a few precautions we can all take to keep our homes safe this December. Enjoy your holiday and have peace of mind with these five quick tips. **Before you go "Clark Griswold" on your exterior and interior Christmas lights, definitely take a minute to inspect them.** According to the US Fire Administration, December is the worst month for electrical fires. And if you’ve seen the Griswolds reveal their Christmas lights for the first time, you know why. Check lights for frayed cords and damaged bulbs, and use an outdoor timer so they aren’t on all the time (and saves you from personally turning them off every single night!) **Invest in a home security system—even if you’re Kevin McAllister.** We all know what happens in Home Alone, and we’re confident the McAllisters definitely have a home security system now. The holidays are big season for break-ins, and security systems can prevent that. You’ll have peace of mind when you’re sleeping or when you’re away. Another benefit of home security systems: installing one could mean a lower rate on your homeowner’s insurance policy! **Inspect your furnace & chimney—for the safety of Santa and your family.** Ensure your furnace is working properly and that your chimney is thoroughly cleaned before lighting up a toasty fire. While you’re at it, double check that all of your smoke detectors are fully functioning and working properly—go ahead and change batteries to new ones just to be prepared and on the safe side. **Tree placement is everything**. For décor, yes. But also avoid placing your tree close to fire places and any sources of heat. According to the NFPA, 230 housefires occur each year from Christmas trees. **If you are traveling—have a plan**. Another lesson from the McAllisters, who have taught us more than we thought, is to have a plan when you are traveling or not staying at your house for any amount of time. Set your interior lights on timers so that it looks like you are home, install that security system we talked about, and communicate your plans with a trusted neighbor so they can keep their eye on things and collect your mail. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season! # [Avoiding Water Damage Losses](https://blog.emford.com/avoiding-water-damage-losses) [ EM Ford ](https://blog.emford.com/author/em-ford) | [Personal Insurance](https://blog.emford.com/tag/personal-insurance) | [ No Comments](https://blog.emford.com/avoiding-water-damage-losses#comments-listing) When it comes to water damage losses, no season is safe as they can happen at any time. Each home comes with potential for water damage losses from pipes bursting to faulty construction and plumbing... # [Understanding Credit](https://blog.emford.com/understanding-credit) [ Ryan McDaniel ](https://blog.emford.com/author/ryan-mcdaniel) | [Insurance](https://blog.emford.com/tag/insurance), [Financial Planning](https://blog.emford.com/tag/financial-planning) | [ No Comments](https://blog.emford.com/understanding-credit#comments-listing) It’s difficult to imagine functioning in today’s world without credit. Whether buying a car or purchasing a home, credit has become an integral part of our everyday lives. Having easy access to... # [5 Ways To Save For Your Next Vacation](https://blog.emford.com/5-ways-to-save-for-your-next-vacation) [ John Gleason ](https://blog.emford.com/author/john-gleason) [ No Comments](https://blog.emford.com/5-ways-to-save-for-your-next-vacation#comments-listing) For many of us, last week was fall break. And many are already dreaming about their next vacation. October is Financial Planning Month, and I want to help you financially plan for your next vacation... # [Four Chart Friday With Ryan McDaniel](https://blog.emford.com/four-chart-friday-with-ryan-mcdaniel) [ Ryan McDaniel ](https://blog.emford.com/author/ryan-mcdaniel) | [Financial Planning](https://blog.emford.com/tag/financial-planning) | [ No Comments](https://blog.emford.com/four-chart-friday-with-ryan-mcdaniel#comments-listing) If you’ve talked anything market related with me, you no doubt know I love charts. I think you can learn so much and increase your understanding from them. Here are four charts I’ve been looking at... #### Recent Articles - [Avoiding Water Damage Losses](https://blog.emford.com/avoiding-water-damage-losses) - [Understanding Credit](https://blog.emford.com/understanding-credit) - [5 Ways To Save For Your Next Vacation](https://blog.emford.com/5-ways-to-save-for-your-next-vacation) ### Subscribe here #### About EM Ford EM Ford is an independent insurance agency offering a comprehensive suite of insurance solutions to protect you from the unexpected. [Privacy Policy](https://emford.com/privacy-policy/) | [Website Accessibility](https://emford.com/contact/) #### Personal Insurance - [Home Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/home-insurance/) - [Auto Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/auto-insurance/) - [Individual Life Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/individual-life-insurance/) - [Motorcycle Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/motorcycle-insurance/) - [Condo Insurance](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/condo-insurance/) - [*See All*](https://emford.com/personal-insurance/) #### Business Insurance - [Business Owners Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/business-owners-insurance/) - [eCommerce Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/ecommerce-insurance/) - [School Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/specialized-business-insurance/school-insurance/) - [Trucking Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/specialized-business-insurance/trucking-insurance/) - [Manufacturer Insurance](https://emford.com/business-insurance/specialized-business-insurance/manufacturer-insurance/) - [*See All*](https://emford.com/business-insurance/) #### Employee Benefits - [Group Health Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-health-insurance/) - [Group Dental Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-dental-insurance/) - [Group Vision Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-vision-insurance/) - [Group Voluntary Benefits](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/group-voluntary-benefits/) - [Disability Insurance](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/disability-insurance/) - [*See All*](https://emford.com/employee-benefits/) © 2026 EM Ford. All rights reserved.