Home Safety Steps Every Homeowner Should Take Before Holiday Guests Arrive

The holiday season is an exciting time, but hosting carries hidden risks that many homeowners often overlook.

“During the holidays, homeowners usually have more visitors, more decorations, and more activity in and around the home. All of that creates more opportunities for someone to get hurt on their property,” says Alex Mario, attorney at Carter Mario Law Firm in Milford, CT.

If guests injure themselves, they may leave you, the homeowner, with costly medical bills, insurance disputes, and in the most extreme cases, legal actions.

That’s why it’s essential to not only familiarize yourself with the types of accidents that can occur, but also take proper safety precautions to help prevent them.

By doing so, you can gain some much needed peace of mind and focus on what matters most during the holidays—creating lasting memories with your loved ones.

Common holiday accidents and liability concerns

There are a number of accidents that may occur when you host guests this holiday season. Here are some of the common ones to watch out for:

Trips and falls 

Untidy hallways, torn carpets, electrical cords, or dark stairways can cause guests to trip, fall, and injure themselves.

“If you know about such hazards or should have, potential liability becomes an issue,” explains James Roswold, owner and attorney at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys in Kansas City, MO. 

Snow and ice accidents

According to Roswold, a guest slipping on an icy walkway or driveway could bring a claim against you. Note that many home insurance policies won’t cover this incident if you didn’t take basic precautions to reduce its risk.

Fire hazards

Overloaded electrical outlets, aging holiday lights, or burning candles left unsupervised may create fire hazards or burn injuries.

“If the insurance company finds that you didn’t address these hazards, your claim could be denied,” explains Roswold.

Alcohol-related injuries

Over-serving alcohol is one of the biggest hosting risks during the holidays.

“If a guest leaves your home intoxicated and causes an accident, you may be held responsible under social host liability laws,” explains Erika Tortorici, owner and principal of Optimum Insurance Solutions in Hamilton, MA.

Dog bites

Even pets pose a risk, as holiday chaos can make dogs anxious.

“A dog bite can quickly become a costly liability if you don't secure your animal properly,” says Tortorici.

How to prep your home before the holiday madness begins

Fortunately, many of these holiday hosting accidents are avoidable. These tips can help protect your guests, wallet, and sanity. 

Take care of your driveway

Shovel your driveway and sprinkle salt or sand on icy surfaces. Roswold recommends you do this before (not when) guests arrive.

Clear walkways and stairs

Get rid of any clutter, secure loose rugs and cords, and ensure proper stair lighting. Such precautions will lead to fewer tripping and falling injuries.

“Maintaining clutter-free indoor pathways allows guests to safely move around decorations and furniture,” explains Tortorici.

Check holiday lights and decor

Inspect holiday lights and decor, making sure there are no frayed wires or overloaded outlets, as faulty decorations often spark electrical fires. If you have candles, Tortorici recommends you choose flameless options or place real candles away from flammable materials.

Create a pet zone

Keep your pets in a secure, designated area. Keep in mind that even if you have the friendliest dog in the world, it could act erratically in crowds or with unfamiliar company. 

Secure your kitchen

Cooking during the holidays is one of the primary causes of house fires.

“Keep any flammable objects away from your stovetop, remain in the kitchen while cooking, and face pot handles inward,” explains Roswold. 

Be smart about alcohol

“Buy nonalcoholic beverages, so you can begin serving them a couple of hours before it's time for guests to leave,” says Fran Majidi, insurance expert at Modotech in Media, PA. 

Since it can be difficult to cut off drunk guests without conflict, Majidi also recommends you hire a vendor to serve alcoholic beverages and prevent direct confrontation.

Understand your home insurance coverage

Before your guests arrive, you need to understand what your policy does and doesn't cover.

“Homeowners are often shocked after an accident when they learn something isn’t covered,” says Roswold.

What to do if an emergency pops up

If things don’t go as planned and guests do injure themselves, remain calm. 

Then, move those in harm’s way to safety and call 911 if necessary.

“Be sure to document what happened. Photograph the scene and note any conditions such as lighting, weather, or dangers. This could become crucial in any claim that follows,” explains Roswold. 

Roswold also cautions you to express willingness to assist without admitting responsibility.

“Hasty words could have different interpretations when claims arise,” he adds.

If something serious occurred, report it to your home insurance company. Don’t forget to follow up with your guest after they leave. 

“Not only because you care about them, but also to establish what happened to the guest and verify they received appropriate care,” says Roswold. This is essential for a successful claim.