The holiday season brings warm kitchens, big family meals, and the comforting smell of recipes passed down for generations. But it’s also one of the most dangerous times of year for carbon monoxide (CO) incidents and home cooking fires. With more people baking, frying, roasting, and heating their homes, safety needs to be just as important as the menu itself.
Here’s an easy guide to keep your home safe, cozy, and energy-efficient during the holidays, so you can focus on what really matters.
1. Keep an Eye on the Stove: The #1 Way to Prevent Kitchen Fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires during the holidays. When the house is full and distractions are everywhere, it’s easy to step away for “just a second.”
Keep your loved ones safe by:
- Staying in the kitchen while frying, sautéing, or boiling
- Setting timers for roasting or baking
- Keeping flammable items (towels, bags, oven mitts) away from the stovetop
- Turning pot handles inward to avoid spills
2. Know the Signs of Carbon Monoxide (CO) & Prevent Build-Up
Holiday cooking means ovens and ranges stay on longer, which can increase CO exposure if appliances aren’t properly ventilated. Keeping natural gas appliances clean and free of debris promotes complete combustion and reduces CO emissions.
CO is colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly.
Stay protected by:
- Never using an oven to heat the house
- Running kitchen and range hood fans while cooking
- Keeping vents clear of snow and debris
- Making sure your CO detectors are working on every floor
- Getting fuel-burning appliances cleaned and checked yearly
3. Watch Your Holiday Lights, Outlets & Appliances
With cooking, space heaters, lights, and decorations plugged in, electrical systems work overtime.
Avoid overloads by:
- Plugging space heaters directly into the wall
- Using LED holiday lights (they run cooler and save energy)
- Checking cords for cracks or fraying
4. Keep Your Home Comfortable & Efficient During Holiday Cooking
Holiday meals and extra guests can make homes warmer, stuffier, and sometimes draftier, depending on how efficient the home is.
A few energy-efficiency tips:
- Use your oven light instead of opening the door (keeps heat in)
- Cook multiple dishes at once to save energy
- Use lids on pots to cook faster
- Run exhaust fans only as long as needed to remove smoke & moisture
- Check that doors and windows are sealed to keep warm air inside
Less wasted heat = lower energy bills, better indoor air quality, and greater comfort for everyone.
Want a Safer, More Efficient Home This Winter? GreenLife Can Help.
Whether you’re dealing with drafts, high utility bills, inefficient heating, or poor indoor air quality, GreenLife Energy Solutions offers weatherization, insulation upgrades, and home efficiency improvements that make your home safer and more comfortable all year.
Many New Jersey residents qualify for our energy-efficiency programs! Discover the right program for you.
This season, give your home the gift of comfort, safety, and energy savings.
