If you are about to host Thanksgiving this year, you could be feeling more stressed than blessed. Hosting friends and family for this big celebration is no small fete, as well as turning your home into an autumnal wonderland. Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving celebrations this year or traveling far away from home, here are a few easy and useful tips to keep your house safe this Thanksgiving.   When you're home

• Test the smoke alarm. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. While it's always recommended to never leave your cooking unattended, accidents do happen - even under the most watchful eye. Before the holiday season arrives, it's wise to test all the smoke alarms around the house. Make sure they are all in good working order so you can be assured if something does go wrong, you will be alerted.
• Place candles out of reach. Chances are you have little ones visiting over Thanksgiving along with pets. If this is the case, be sure to secure all rugs and move sharp objects and candles out of reach of children and pets. Open flames can attract little ones, so ensure they cannot reach the candles.
• Corner off the kitchen. Hot pans, sharp knives, and glassware all make for a not-so-safe environment. The kitchen is the hub of the action, but don't feel obliged to entertain in this space. Ensure that children are kept out of the kitchen and away from the stove and sharp knives. Pets and toys should also be removed from the kitchen area before starting any meal prep to prevent accidents. Instead, keep the animals and children entertained elsewhere.
• Take care when cooking. Avoid wearing long sleeves and loose clothing while cooking that could catch fire. Remove flammable objects away from the stovetop. Never the house when the oven is on and the stove is in use. Take extra care when cooking, especially if you are going to be drinking. Better yet, have a drink once all the food has been prepared.

  When you're away  

• Don't post your plans. If you're going to be leaving the house at any time over the Thanksgiving period, avoid posting your plans on social media. Just about anyone can access this information now, and thieve could take the opportunity to raid your house. Instead, post your memories and pictures once you get home.

 

• Protect your packages. If you have ordered items online, you may want to ensure you are home to receive the delivery. If this isn't possible, consider stopping mail service during your travels. This protects your mail and keeps thieves from assuming you're not home.

 

• Make it look like someone is home. If you're going to leaving town for a few days, leave a few lights on a timer so that it looks like someone is home to turn them on and off. Turn down the volume on your phone at home so that passers-by cannot hear the phone ring out.

  Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving or attending a loved one's celebration, it's a good idea to ensure you have plenty of home insurance in place first. The festive season can be especially dangerous for homeowners with fires, theft, and accidents likely to occur. Make sure you have a financial safety net in the form of insurance to protect you if the worst happens.   We hope that these tips help you to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. To take steps to better protect your home, ensure you have the right homeowners coverage.  To find the best home insurance policy to fit your needs, contact Bell Black Insurance today. We serve all insurance needs for those in Idaho Falls, Island Park, Driggs, Victor, Swan Valley, Ashton, and the neighboring communities in Idaho, as well as Jackson and Star Valley in Wyoming.