5 Holiday Safety Tips for Chicagoland Families (Expanded Guide)

Nasutsa Mabwa

September 23, 2025

The holidays bring lights, cooking, family, and travel — but also higher risks of fire, theft, and water damage. These five expert safety tips from ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons help Chicago-area homeowners protect their homes, backed by over 40 years of experience and the nation’s oldest restoration brand.

Why Holiday Safety Matters in Chicagoland

Chicago winters are no joke. Combine freezing temperatures, overloaded outlets, live trees, candles, and bustling kitchens, and December becomes one of the riskiest months for home fires and water emergencies. At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve spent more than four decades helping families recover after holiday mishaps — from burst pipes to kitchen fires.

And as co-authors of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset, we believe preparation is the best protection. Here are five cornerstone tips to keep your season safe and joyful.

1) Turn Off Lights Overnight and When Away

Use timers or smart plugs so you don’t forget.
Inspect every strand for frayed wires, cracked sockets, or missing bulbs.
Use outdoor-rated lights outside, always plugged into GFCI outlets.
Never overload outlets or daisy-chain extension cords.

Leaving lights on overnight not only drives up energy bills — it creates a real fire risk.

2) Fireplace and Candle Safety

Keep all wrapping paper, ribbons, and greenery at least three feet from the fireplace.
Always use a screen to contain sparks.
Place candles in stable, wide holders, blow them out when you leave the room, or choose flameless LED candles.
Cool ashes in a metal container outdoors for at least 24 hours.

Every December, the U.S. Fire Administration records a spike in home fires linked to heating and holiday décor.

3) Real Tree, Real Safety

Fresh trees are less flammable — needles should be green and hard to pull off.
Water daily; a dry tree is tinder.
Keep trees 3 feet from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, or space heaters.
Artificial tree? Check that it’s labeled flame-retardant.

4) Kitchen Vigilance

Stay in the kitchen while cooking; use timers for every burner.
Keep towels, boxes, and packaging off the stovetop.
For grease fires: slide a lid over the pan, turn off heat — never add water.
If deep-frying, only outdoors, on concrete, away from buildings.

Cooking fires peak during the holidays. A few simple steps keep festivities from turning tragic.

5) Travel Smart

Set the thermostat to 55–60°F to avoid frozen pipes.
Open sink cabinets on exterior walls and let faucets drip during deep freezes.
Put lights on timers, pause mail, and ask a neighbor to check in.
Never advertise travel plans on social media.

Bonus Quick Checklist

Test smoke and CO alarms
Replace HVAC filter
Clear exits and stairs
Review fire extinguisher
Keep pets safe from décor and toxins

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is the nation’s oldest restoration brand. Our local franchise has more than 40 years of Chicagoland service, led by Nasutsa Mabwa, CEO, and Sam Simon, COO (IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer, author of RESTORE).

We are proud members of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) and recipients of multiple awards, including the 2025 Inc. 5000 Honoree, 2024 Chicago Star Award, and the 2020 BBB Torch Award.

Our Services

Water & Flood Damage Restoration
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
Mold Remediation
Specialty Cleaning (carpet, upholstery, post-construction, hoarder/clutter)

Available 24/7/365 — even on holidays at:

📞 (773) 376-1110 (Chicago & North Shore)
📞 (847) 316-9145 (Lake County)

FAQ

Q: Should I turn off my Christmas tree lights at night?
Yes. Always unplug or schedule lights overnight — it reduces fire risk and saves energy.

Q: How much water does a Christmas tree need?
Up to a quart per day when first brought home. Check and refill the stand daily.

Q: Are artificial trees safer than real ones?
Both can be safe. Real trees must stay watered; artificial models should be labeled flame-retardant.

Q: How far should candles and fireplaces be from decorations?
Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away.

Q: What’s the #1 cause of holiday home fires?
Cooking fires, followed by electrical and heating sources.

Q: What temp should I set my thermostat if I’m traveling?
Set to 55–60°F. Open sink cabinets and drip faucets to prevent frozen pipes.

Q: Is it safe to use space heaters during the holidays?
Yes — but only with tip-over and overheat protection, plugged directly into a wall, and never left unattended.

Q: Who do I call after a holiday fire or burst pipe?
First, ensure safety and call 911 if needed. Then call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons — we’re IICRC-certified and available 24/7.

Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a nationally recognized, award-winning disaster restoration firm serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, mold remediation, and specialty cleaning services for both residential and commercial clients.

A respected business and civic leader, Nasutsa has received numerous honors for her contributions to the industry and her community. Her accolades include:

She is IICRC-certified in both Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), combining technical expertise with visionary leadership. Nasutsa holds a Master’s in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MBA in Real Estate Development from Roosevelt University.

Beyond her business achievements, Nasutsa is an active community advocate. She is a Board Member of the Civic Federation, an Advisory Board Member, and Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is also a long-standing member of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO).

She is the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset, an essential guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water and fire disasters.

Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.

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