Like many of us, you’ve been looking forward to the holidays. There’s nothing like family, friends, festive decorations, and good cheer to liven us up at this time of year. What we seldom consider, however, is how our holiday festivities could go awry and end up in serious property damage. At Saffren & Weinberg, our property damage lawyers are here to offer tips to keep you safe during the holidays and what to do if you need to file a property damage claim.
How Safe Are Your Holiday Decorations?
Every year, you go into the attic and pull down the boxes and boxes of holiday lights and decorations you’ve amassed over the years. You pride yourself on these, and there may even be a bit of decoration competition in the neighborhood. But how safe are your lights and other decorations?
Don’t let the holidays become a tragedy. While your family may love your cherished holiday displays and traditions, safety should be your number one priority. How can you keep your home and family safe this holiday season and avoid tragic losses?
Outdoor Lighting and Decoration Safety
Thoroughly plan your outside lighting display this year. Some of your decorations and lighting may be outdated, and it may be time to retire some of these.
Check how many outdoor outlets you have to work, and ensure you aren’t overloading them. Only use lighting that is safety-tested by a nationally recognized lab and decorations that are labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. Never link more strands of lights and wires than is directed on the manufacturer’s packaging and replace any lights that have worn or broken cords. Keep all your outdoor decorations and equipment from overhanging onto a neighbor’s property and at least 10 feet from major power lines.
Indoor Lighting and Decoration Safety
Your home’s interior decorations should be checked for safety as well.
Although candles and greenery feel warm and traditional during the holidays, flames and greenery should never coexist near each other in your home. Again, only lighting that is tested for safety should be used indoors. Check for frayed or broken cords on lighting strands and decorations, especially if you’re using them near flammable items like natural garlands, wooden decorations, or a real Christmas tree.
Test your smoke alarms or any other fire emergency protection equipment to ensure they are working properly, and always unplug all holiday lights when leaving your home or going to bed at night.
Cooking Fires at the Holidays
Whether you’re cooking a whole extended family meal or baking cookies for a cookie exchange, chances are there will be a lot of activity in your kitchen around the holidays.
Don’t wear loose clothing when cooking and keep oil or flammable items like towels and food packaging away from an active cooktop. Don’t leave any cooking food unattended; if you’re tired, let someone else take over. Keep children away from hot food or surfaces.
Turn off the stove and keep the ignited pan covered if a small fire breaks out. Never use water with a grease fire. Instead, smother the flames with baking soda. If a fire has ignited in the oven, turn it off, keep the oven door shut to cut off its oxygen, and let it extinguish by itself. Always keep a fire extinguisher handy in your kitchen and check its expiration date periodically.
One of the Holidays’ Biggest Safety Culprits – Your Christmas Tree
Many people choose natural Christmas trees because of their traditional feel and comforting aroma. If you’re one of those people, remember that a dry Christmas tree can become an all-consuming fire that can instantly ignite everything in its vicinity within seconds.
Most Christmas trees on lots are cut days or weeks before being sold. If you choose a natural Christmas tree, you or the lot attendant should give it a fresh cut. Cutting a couple of inches from the bottom of the trunk allows water to be more easily absorbed, so your tree won’t dry out and become a fire hazard. Since trees absorb water very quickly, check and fill the water well of your tree stand daily. Unfortunately, once your tree begins to lose its needles, it has dried out to a point where it can become a potential fire hazard.
Use tree lights that are safety tested and approved, and check for wear and missing bulbs. Avoid using extension cords, but if you must, make sure you’ve inspected them for any breaks or other damage. Keep your tree away from heat sources that may ignite it or stairways that allow a fire to travel up to upstairs bedrooms quickly. Keep pets away from cords, and always unplug your tree at bedtime or when you leave the house.
What to Do If You’ve Experienced Property Damage at the Holidays
If you’ve experienced holiday property damages, your first step will be to file a property damage claim with your insurance company.
- Assess and make notes of all the losses and how they occurred. Take photos of any property damage before you attempt to clean it up.
- Report the property damage to your property damage insurance company immediately. Not reporting the damages as soon as possible can result in the insurance company denying your claim.
- In addition, communicate these damages with your insurance company in writing.
- Locate your insurance policy, including any endorsements, and fully understand what you are insured for. Call your insurance agent if you have any questions about your coverage.
- Protect your property from any further damage. Your property damage insurance adjuster should help make emergency provisions for you if your damage requires immediate attention.
- Don’t rely on an insurance adjuster’s evaluation of your claim. Hire a contractor or other professional to help you evaluate your property damages and prepare an estimate of the repair cost.
- Keep abreast of the status of your claim. Your insurance company must respond to a property damage claim within 30 days of filing it to notify you of their intentions. If they cannot yet make a determination, they must inform you in writing and then take an additional 15 days to make their decision.
What Happens if Your Insurance Company Denies or Downgrades Your Claim?
The holidays are a terrible time to sustain property damages. But when you diligently pay your premiums year after year, the last thing you expect after filing a property damage claim is to be told that your insurance company will not pay it or only partially pay it. Unfortunately, this happens far too frequently.
Insurance companies are large, profitable businesses, and getting what you consider a fair property damage settlement can be challenging after your claim. Terminology can be confusing, and property damage claims are complex. Some property damage insurance companies even go so far as to engage in bad faith practices.
Fortunately, Pennsylvania has statutes that regulate the insurance industry. If you have sustained property damage during the holidays and are struggling to get treated fairly by your insurance company, our experienced property damage lawyers at Saffren & Weinberg are here to help. Schedule a free consultation by calling us at (215) 576-0100 or through our online contact form.
Disclosure:
This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with Saffren & Weinberg, we are not your legal representatives.