The holiday season brings family, decorations, and travel. It also brings a higher risk of home fires, package theft, and break-ins. A few simple habits can go a long way toward keeping your home and your guests safe. Here are practical holiday home safety tips for Las Vegas homeowners, plus a look at how homeowners insurance typically applies if something does go wrong.
Space heater safety
Las Vegas winter nights get chilly, and space heaters come out of storage. They’re convenient, but they’re also a leading cause of home heating fires.
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Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including curtains, bedding, furniture, and holiday decorations.
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Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip.
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Choose a heater with automatic shut-off if it tips over.
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Turn heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Holiday lights and decorations
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Inspect light strings before you hang them. Throw out any with frayed wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections.
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Use lights rated for outdoor use on the exterior of your home.
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Don’t overload outlets, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on how many strands to connect.
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Turn lights off when you go to bed or leave the house. A timer makes it easy.
Christmas tree safety
A dry tree can catch fire quickly. If you have a live tree:
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Choose a fresh tree with green needles that don’t fall off easily.
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Water it every day. Las Vegas’s dry air dries trees out faster.
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Keep it at least 3 feet from heat sources like fireplaces, heaters, and vents.
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Take it down soon after the holidays, before it dries out.
Candle and cooking safety
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Never leave candles burning unattended, and keep them away from trees, decorations, and curtains. Consider flameless LED candles.
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Stay in the kitchen while anything is cooking on the stovetop.
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Keep a lid nearby to smother a small grease fire. Never use water.
Protecting your home while you travel
If you’re leaving Las Vegas for the holidays:
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Make your home look occupied. Put lights on timers and ask a neighbor to park in your driveway occasionally.
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Hold your mail and pause or redirect package deliveries.
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Don’t post travel plans on social media until you’re back.
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Lock up and check your security system, including cameras and smart locks.
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Keep your heat on at a lower setting to protect pipes on cold nights.
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Shut off the water main if you’ll be gone for an extended time.
Package theft prevention
Holiday shopping means more deliveries, and more opportunities for porch pirates. Track deliveries, use delivery lockers or ship to your workplace when you can, require signatures for high-value items, and consider a video doorbell.
How homeowners insurance typically applies during the holidays
Coverage depends on your policy and carrier, but here’s how homeowners insurance typically responds to common holiday mishaps:
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Fire damage from a tree, candle, cooking, or decorations is typically covered under dwelling and personal property coverage, subject to your deductible.
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Stolen gifts and belongings, whether from your home or sometimes your car, may be covered under personal property coverage, subject to your deductible.
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A guest injured at your home, like a slip on a wet floor, may be covered under your personal liability and medical payments coverages.
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Extended time away can trigger policy conditions. Some policies limit coverage for homes that are vacant for long periods, so check yours before a long trip.
Keep receipts for big holiday purchases like TVs, laptops, and game consoles, and add them to your home inventory.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover a Christmas tree fire?
Fire is typically a covered peril under homeowners insurance, so damage from a Christmas tree fire is usually covered, subject to your deductible and policy terms.
Are stolen packages covered by homeowners insurance?
Theft of personal property may be covered, but your deductible applies. Many stolen packages cost less than a typical deductible, so prevention is often the best protection.
Am I covered if a holiday guest gets hurt at my house?
Personal liability and medical payments coverage may help if a guest is injured on your property. Limits and terms vary by policy.
Should I tell my insurance company if I’m traveling for the holidays?
Usually not for a typical holiday trip. If you’ll be away for an extended period, review your policy’s vacancy or unoccupancy conditions and ask your agent.
Review your coverage before the holidays
The holidays are a great time to make sure your homeowners insurance in Las Vegas still fits your home and belongings. InsureWise is an independent insurance agency at 3295 N Fort Apache Rd #120 in northwest Las Vegas, comparing coverage from multiple carriers. Se habla español. Request a homeowners insurance review or call (702) 620-4825.
