Staying Home For The Holidays? How To Prep Your Home For Emergencies This Holiday Season

While you are busy planning get-togethers and finding last-minute gift ideas this festive season, you might overlook something very important: your home safety. If you are spending the holidays at home, the last thing you think about is the possibility of medical emergencies. Read on to discover how to prep your home for emergencies this holiday season.

Why Home Emergencies Spike During the Holidays

According to research, the festive season is one of the busiest times of the year for emergency responders. Between increased cooking, gatherings and feeling more relaxed, small mistakes can quickly escalate. These can lead to the most common home emergency incidents:

• Kitchen fires caused by unattended stoves or cooking oil.
• Electrical fires from overloaded plugs or faulty fairy lights.
• Accidental injuries from ladder falls and slippery floors.
• Medical emergencies, such as heart attacks, allergic reactions or other sudden illnesses.
• Power cuts leading to accidents or food spoilage.

Steps to Prepare Your Home for Emergencies

Step 1: Identify Potential Risks Around Your Home

Before you can focus on steps that can protect your family, you need to know what could go wrong. Consider creating a checklist to address each issue before the festive season is in full swing. Prevention is always the first step for emergencies, so do a walk-through of your home and look for:

• Electrical hazards: Worn-out cords, overloaded plugs, or untested appliances.
• Fire hazards: Candles near curtains, dry Christmas trees, or clutter near heat sources.
• Trip and fall risks: Toys, cables, or rugs in high-traffic areas.
• Medical risks: Medications left within reach of children, or lack of easy access to emergency contacts.

Step 2: Prepare a Home Emergency Kit

An emergency kit isn’t something you only consider when you are planning road trips or outdoor adventures. It’s something that should be a necessity in your home too, especially if you have children and elderly relatives living with you. Ensure you pack it and store it in a readily accessible location, so everyone in your household knows where it is.

When assembling a home emergency kit, you should include:

• A first-aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, painkillers, burn cream).
• Flashlights and extra batteries.
• Bottled water and non-perishable food for at least 48 hours.
• Important documents in a waterproof folder (ID, insurance, medical cards).
• A charged power bank for mobile phones.
• A list of emergency contacts, including the Affinity Rescue number.

Step 3: Know Your Emergency Numbers

When a crisis hits, seconds matter. Ensure that every family member knows who to contact and what to do in case of an emergency. The good news is that Affinity Rescue offers you 24/7 emergency assistance with access to trained operators who can dispatch medical help immediately, provide pre-hospital guidance, and track your location if you’re unable to speak clearly. It’s essential to keep a printed list of some of these critical numbers on the fridge or notification board and stored on everyone’s mobile devices:

• Affinity Rescue 24-hour emergency line.
• Local police and fire department.
• Nearest hospital or clinic.
• Trusted neighbours or relatives.

Step 4: Create a Home Evacuation Plan

It’s not something anyone wants to think about, but having a plan in place can prevent panic and save lives. If you live in an area prone to power outages or flooding, consider taking additional steps, such as installing backup lighting or keeping sandbags on hand, to prepare for these events.

• Identify two exits from each major room.
• Agree on a safe meeting point outside your home.
• Practise the plan with everyone, including children.
• Ensure that house keys and car keys are always easily accessible.

Step 5: Prevent the Most Common Holiday Accidents

Most household emergencies during the holidays are preventable. Affinity Rescue’s 24/7 helpline can also provide medical guidance over the phone, helping you stabilise a situation until paramedics arrive. Here’s how to lower your risk:

In the Kitchen:

• Never leave food unattended on the stove.
• Keep pot handles turned inward to avoid spills.
• Store flammable items, such as paper towels or dishcloths, away from heat sources.

Around the House:

• Check that outside lights and extension cords are in good condition.
• Don’t overload plugs with multiple appliances.
• Keep decorations out of reach of small children and pets.

With Candles or Fireplaces:

• Never leave candles burning overnight.
• Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
• Use a fire screen to prevent sparks from escaping.

For Health and Medical Needs:

• Keep emergency medications, such as asthma inhalers or EpiPens, accessible.
• Ensure your first-aid kit is well-stocked.
• Double-check expiry dates on all medicines.

Step 6: Protect Your Home While You’re Out

Even if you’re staying home this year, you’ll likely still go out for shopping trips, parties or family visits. If you’ll be away overnight, let a trusted neighbour know they can keep an eye on your property and alert authorities in case of trouble. Before leaving, ensure your home remains safe and secure:

• Unplug non-essential appliances.
• Blow out candles and switch off lights that generate heat.
• Set alarms and ensure that security systems are functioning correctly.
• Lock gates and windows securely.

Step 7: Make Sure You’re Covered

Emergencies don’t just threaten your home; they can affect your health, too. The festive season often means indulging in rich foods, travelling short distances, and staying up late, all of which can strain your body. That’s why it’s crucial to have Affinity Rescue on your side. With 24-hour emergency coordination, nationwide medical assistance, and rapid dispatch services, Affinity Rescue ensures that help arrives quickly, even in the event of a crisis at home.

Staying home for the holidays can be peaceful, comforting, and safe, but only if you’re prepared. Emergencies can strike when you least expect them, from a simple kitchen mishap to a severe health scare. By taking a few precautionary steps now, identifying risks, preparing your home, and keeping Affinity Rescue on speed dial, you can enjoy your festive season with confidence and peace of mind. Your home is your sanctuary, and you should ensure it’s also your safest place to be.