Ho! Ho! Home safety tips to ensure a happy Holiday Season

HALIFAX, Dec. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is offering its top 10 safety tips to Atlantic Canadians this holiday season.

"Understandably, this time of year brings many distractions. Don't let the hustle and bustle of the holiday season take your attention away from the safety of you and your family," said Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Atlantic. We encourage everyone to review the following safety tips to help keep the season merry and bright.

IBC's top 10 Ho! Ho! Home safety tips are: 

1. Keep all fresh trees and plants watered.
   • This will prevent drying, which, can be a fire hazard.
2. Test and maintain your smoke and CO detectors.
3. Keep your walkway and the front stairs clear of snow and ice.
   • This will help make sure holiday visitors don't slip and fall.
4. Create or review a family emergency plan.
5. Update your emergency kit.
6. Check your first-aid kit and replace missing supplies.
7. Update your home inventory.
   • This is especially important if you receive expensive or meaningful gifts this holiday season
8. Review your insurance policy.
   • If you have questions, contact your insurance representative. For further information, consumers can contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre.
9. If you go on vacation, even for a few days, leave the heat on – at an energy saving setting- and have someone you trust check on your home while you are away.
10. Regularly run water through all your plumbing fixtures.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to celebrate 50 years as a valuable resource for insurance information. Since 1964, IBC has been working with governments across Canada to make our communities safer, championing issues that directly affect Canadians and the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IBC is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the P&C insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $48 billion.

To view media releases and other information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau and @IBC_Atlantic or like us on Facebook.

If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.

SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada

To schedule an interview, please contact: Celyeste Power, Manager, Media Relations, Insurance Bureau of Canada, 416-362-2031 ext. 4312 (daytime), 647-384-9872 (after hours), [email protected]