It’s the most wonderful time of the year — weeks of hustle and bustle, spending time with friends and family, giving and receiving, and eating to your heart’s content. What can go wrong?
A lot, actually. The holiday season is not only an opportune time for gift-giving, but also an unfortunately ripe time for accidents and mishaps.
Though much can go wrong, there is plenty you can do to protect yourself. We’ve got some common holiday disasters and what you can do to avoid them.
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1. Your home catches fire
You leave your favorite pine-scented candle a little too close to your Christmas tree, or plug one too many strands of lights into an extension cord. Before you know it, you have a fire on your hands.
This and other scenarios lead to fires every year. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 1,000 home fires occur each holiday season due to Christmas trees, holiday decorations and cooking.
Stephen Boccarossa, principal agent at Boccarossa Insurance in Milford, Connecticut, said that consumers should take precautions when decorating for the season.
“LED lights use a lot less wattage and won’t put stress on your wiring, or cause a short or fire,” he advised.
“If you’re going to burn a candle, put it where everyone is going to be and have it high on the mantle or on a counter top,” he added.
The NFPA offers handy winter holiday safety tips, as well as Christmas tree safety tips.
Now is an excellent time to review your homeowners or renters insurance policy to ensure that the limits you have in place are adequate for replacing any belongings in the event of a fire.
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2. A guest hurts themselves in your home
Your dear Aunt Agnes is staying with you and falls on your icy walkway. She lands in the hospital and is looking for someone to pick up the bill.
Having guests in your home during the season not only brings good cheer, but it can also bring an increase in liability.
Ensure that your home is safe for guests. Take a walk around both the inside and outside of your property and correct or remove any potential dangers, especially if you live in a cold-weather area.
“I recommend making sure that if you do have company, you’ve cleared your driveway, walkways and front steps,” Boccarossa said. “If you have Christmas lights outside, make sure your wires are hidden so [your guests] don’t trip and fall.”
Review the liability and medical treatment coverage in your homeowners policy. Consider getting an umbrella policy for increased protection if you don’t already have one.
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3. Your flight or cruise gets canceled
Canceled flights and crowded airports make a great scene for a holiday movie, but they happen in real life all the time. When they do, travel delays can derail your holiday plans.
There’s nothing you can do about the weather, but you can reduce the odds of catching an illness by eating well, getting adequate sleep and reducing stress ahead of travel. Know your airline or cruise line’s cancellation policy when booking.
Check your credit cards, too, as you may have some built-in protections when booking travel. Additionally, Boccarossa recommended purchasing trip cancellation insurance.
“I would definitely consider it, especially in the winter,” he said.
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4. Your holiday shopping is stolen
Thieves love the holiday season as much as you do — probably more. Whether gifts are stolen from cars or porches, holiday theft is a common occurrence.
Do not leave big-ticket items like electronics or jewelry in your car.
“Have a plan for your shopping,” Boccarossa advised. “If you know you’re getting something important or expensive, plan so that it’s the last thing you get before going home.”
Similarly, plan to have gifts delivered to your place of employment, or schedule the delivery during a time you’ll be at home.
Homeowners or renters insurance policies typically cover stolen items, including belongings taken from your car. However, keep in mind that you will need to meet the deductible before coverage kicks in — something consumers tend to forget, according to Boccarossa.
Additionally, be sure to file a police report in the event of theft.
“If your car is broken into, please call the police,” Boccarossa advised. “If you don’t, the insurance company will question it and could use that against you in a future claim.”
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5. Credit card fraud or ID theft
Holiday theft isn’t limited to tangible items. Credit card fraud can also drain the joy out of the season.
Be vigilant when shopping. Thieves can get the number off of your card just by glancing over your shoulder, snapping pictures with their phone or by using a scanning device. If you apply for a credit card in-store, avoid giving your details verbally. Complete a written application instead.
When shopping online, only do so on trusted sites. Consider using a credit card with a low balance to limit the damage if your information is stolen.
Protect yourself. Your credit cards and debit cards provide protection in the event of fraudulent purchases, but remember that, in the case of a debit card, any theft or false charges will immediately affect your bank balance.
Ensure that you follow your bank or credit card company’s procedures for reporting fraudulent activity, and that you address it right away.
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Don’t forget to enjoy the season!
While a lot can go wrong during the holidays, don’t overwhelm yourself with stress. Instead, put these precautions in place to protect yourself and the ones you love. Doing so can help ensure that the holidays are safe and enjoyable for everyone.
This article originally appeared on MagnifyMoney.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
