As insurance agents tasked with protecting people and property,the holiday season is the perfect time of year to give your clientssound risk management advice.

Caution against fire hazards

There is a greater use of candles during this time of year,whether it's part of a religious ritual or for decorating the home— in the window or as a centerpiece at the dinner table.

Remembering some safety tips can make the difference between awarm memory or a frightening event. In my home, when we light theChanukah candles, we always do it in the kitchen and put them inthe sink. This way, if a curious cat happens to knock the candlesover, the wet sink will extinguish them. We also use abattery-operated menorah.

Long, tapered candles can sometimes be top heavy and counselingclients to melt a little wax in the holder will help keep themsteady and locked in place. Of course there are rubber gaskets yourclients can buy that also make sure the candle is snug in itsplace. Finally, have your clients make a habit of blowing out thecandles before going out or going to sleep.

Related: Here's what you need to know about fire safetyduring the holidays

Candles aren't the only source of holiday fire hazards.Overloading electrical outlets and the use of an abundance ofextension cords can also spark a blaze. Give your insurance clientsthese tips for preventing electrical fires:

• Don't try to bypass the capacity of an outlet by plugging powerstrips into power strips into the outlet. Although the circuitbreakers should trip and avert the hazard, why take the chance?

• If you do use extension cords, be sure the cord doesn't gettucked under a rug or cross a highly trafficked area. Depending onthe rating of the extension cord and what you have plugged into it,the cord itself can get very hot. In the wrong place, that heat caneasily start a fire.

• Make sure to use only extension cords marked for "Outdoor Use"for exterior needs.

• Have a fire extinguisher — for both safety as well as policydiscounts—in the kitchen. For a few dollars now, they can prevent amuch more expensive loss later.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

Party hazards

What also comes with celebrations? Drinking.

Whether your clients have people over to their houses or if theygo out to watch the ball drop on New Year's Eve, having adesignated driver can save them from a host of trouble. That goesfor your guests, too; hosts can be held liable should someone leavehis or her party intoxicated and cause an accident.

With holiday parties come the potential for slips and falls, sotell clients to keep passageways clear, have enough places forpeople to sit, and place the food and drinks in areas to keep thetraffic flowing and not bottlenecked.

I focused on this topic not to change anyone's enjoyment of theholidays but because I believe part of your job as the insuranceagent is being a risk manager, too, which is often best donethrough increasing awareness and education. The best way you canshow that you care is by making sure your clients have a happy andsafe holiday season.

Related: The 3 biggest risks associated with holidayparties

And may you and yours have a happy and safe holiday season,too.

Rick Gilman, APR, CMP, is executive director of the PersonalLines Growth Alliance, a virtual association dedicated to improvingthe competitiveness of the independent agency distribution channelwithin the personal lines market. He also is presidentof RGG Communications, a communications and publicrelations consulting business specializing in mobile and emarketingsolutions. He previously served as vice president of communicationsat ACORD. Contact him at [email protected].

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