How to avoid common Christmas mishaps

Burglars & break-ins

Homes often contain more high-value items during December, which can unfortunately catch the eye of opportunistic burglars. Visible gifts, dark windows and boxes from those pricier presents sitting proudly by the bins practically put up a sign saying new stuff inside. Keeping curtains closed, popping lights on a timer and hiding any packaging will keep your home looking far less tempting. A quick check of doors and windows before heading out is always important to do.

Fire & naked flames

Christmas brings candles, roaring fires, high-volume cooking sessions and the occasional brave attempt at a flaming pudding. It doesn’t take much for things to get a bit too heated… A lot of issues start when candles are left unattended or when multiplugs are working too hard. Using sturdy candle holders and making sure lit candles are never left unattended, and not overloading plug sockets should help keep the festive glow firmly under control.

Accidental damage

When the living room is full of people, presents, and mugs of half-finished hot chocolates, things can easily get knocked over and broken or spilt. A clear walkway, a separate drinks area and putting anything breakable a little higher up are all great ideas, especially if children are a part of the picture. You can check if your Sheilas’ Wheels Home Insurance policy includes Accidental Damage cover in your Account, as you'd need to have this in place to cover spills and breakages.

Faulty fairy lights

Fairy lights are expected to perform flawlessly after spending 11 months tangled in a box, but some sets don’t cope well. Frayed wires or dodgy bulbs can cause sparks or even short the fuses, so a quick inspection before you switch them on, turning them off before bed and upgrading to LEDs can help keep the sparkle without any nasty surprises.

Falling through the ceiling (loft mishaps)

The annual trip to the loft is a Christmas tradition in itself, but it can only take one misplaced step for a foot, or an entire leg, to go straight through the ceiling. We suggest laying temporary boards if your loft isn’t already boarded, using proper lighting and taking your time when moving boxes – and always make sure you have someone around at the bottom of the ladder.

Pets vs Christmas trees

Pets often see the Christmas tree as an exciting new challenge. Cats climb it, dogs chew it, and some pets treat baubles as toys. A solid stand, keeping breakable decorations higher up and avoiding edible ornaments helps prevent pet-related chaos and potential injuries to your furry family members. It’s best to avoid putting any edible gifts under the tree too, just in case, as chocolate, raisins and other festive foods are highly toxic to dogs. If your pets do cause any damage to your home, Sheilas' Wheels home insurance wouldn't cover this.

Christmas parties: lost, stolen & damaged items

Parties are great fun until someone discovers their coat isn’t where they left it. With lots of people coming and going, it’s easy for things to get misplaced or damaged. Stashing valuables in a separate room and keeping social areas organised means fewer surprises at the end of the night.

Dealing with a Christmas insurance claim

If something does go wrong over the holidays, it’s easy to feel like the festive sparkle has disappeared, but taking a steady, no-fuss approach can help get things back on track. Start by jotting down what happened and snapping a few clear photos or videos, gathering any receipts or product details you already have, then head to our claims page to get started.

And if you do end up needing to claim on your home insurance this Christmas, whether it be relating to buildings, contents or accidental damage, try not to worry. Seasonal mishaps are something we’re used to handling at Sheilas’ Wheels, and we’ll help you straighten everything out so you can get back to enjoying the festivities!