PuroClean of Sugar Land South 
Christmas is the season of twinkling lights, burning candles, and tables packed with comfort food. Your home smells like prime rib, baked desserts, and cedarwood candles, while laughter (and maybe a few family debates) fills the air. But while everyone’s focused on the festivities, there’s something most homeowners forget: the holidays are prime time for fire and water damage.
At PuroClean of Sugar Land, we see it every year. Between nonstop cooking, unattended candles in busy rooms or families leaving town to visit loved ones, Christmas dinner festivities can quietly turn into a recipe for disaster. A little preparation can make all the difference.
Below are practical Christmas home safety tips to help protect your home — so the only thing you’re cleaning up is wrapping paper.
The Kitchen: The Heart of a Christmas Dinner— and the Biggest Risk
Holiday cooking is nonstop during Christmas. Ovens run all day, stovetops are crowded, and distractions are everywhere. That combination makes the kitchen the most common source of holiday fires.
How to Keep Christmas Cooking Safe
Stay close while cooking. Whether you’re simmering sauces, baking desserts, or reheating dishes, never leave active burners or ovens unattended. Most cooking fires start when people walk away “just for a minute.”
Create a no-traffic zone. Keep children, guests, and pets at least three feet away from hot surfaces to avoid accidental burns or spills.
Check your smoke alarms. Make sure alarms are working on every level of your home — especially near bedrooms and the kitchen. Fresh batteries are a must before guests arrive.
Know how to handle grease fires. If a pan catches fire, never use water. Turn off the heat, cover the pan with a lid, and leave it alone until it cools.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. An all-purpose (ABC) extinguisher should be easily accessible, and someone in the home should know how to use it.
Holiday Grease Can Wreck Your Plumbing
Christmas meals mean rich food, oils, butter, and leftovers — and all of that grease has to go somewhere. Unfortunately, many homeowners unknowingly send it straight into their plumbing.
Why Christmas Grease Is a Hidden Threat
Never pour grease down the drain. Once grease cools, it hardens inside pipes, leading to clogs, backups, and potential water damage.
Use a grease container. Let oils cool, pour them into a sealed jar or can, and dispose of them in the trash or through a recycling program if available.
Use sink strainers. Food scraps and peels add to the problem by trapping grease inside pipes.
Pay attention to slow drains. After washing dishes, if water drains slowly or backs up, address it immediately. Waiting can turn a minor clog into a flooded kitchen.
During the holidays, plumbing systems are under more stress than usual — which is why grease-related backups are one of the most common Christmas water damage issues we respond to in Sugar Land.
Candle Safety: Don’t Let Holiday Ambiance Become a Fire Hazard
December is a peak time for candle fires. Holiday candle use is widespread, and December sees more candle-related fires than most other months. U.S. Fire Administration
Candles cause dozens of residential fires each day. On average, about 20 home candle fires are reported daily across the U.S. when holiday and seasonal use is included. U.S. Fire Administration
Unattended candles are dangerous. Fires frequently start when candles are left burning while people leave the room, go to bed, or get caught up in dinner prep. U.S. Fire Administration
Keep Christmas Candle Use Safe
Here are practical safety tips to enjoy candlelight without risking your home:
✅ Place candles in sturdy holders on stable, uncluttered surfaces so they won’t tip over or touch nearby décor.
✅ Keep burning candles at least 12 inches away from flammable items — including table linens, décor, holiday cards, and tree branches.
✅ Always blow out candles before leaving the room or going to sleep. Never assume a candle will burn safely on its own.
✅ Consider flameless candles. Battery-powered versions provide the ambiance without the flame risk—especially important if children or pets are present.
By making simple changes like these, you can keep the holiday spirit bright — without embers or emergencies.
Traveling for Christmas? Water Damage Doesn’t Take a Holiday
One of the most overlooked holiday risks happens when families leave town. A small leak that goes unnoticed for days can cause extensive damage by the time you return.
A Real Story from PuroClean of Sugar Land
A local family left their Sugar Land home to spend Christmas with relatives. Unknown to them, a slow leak under a bathroom sink had already started. With no one home to catch it, water spread beneath the flooring and into the walls. When they returned, large sections of the home were soaked, and mold had begun forming in hidden areas.
Our team was called in to handle water extraction, drying, and restoration — but the homeowners later learned that shutting off the main water valve before leaving could have prevented most of the damage.
Before traveling, always:
- Turn off your main water supply
- Check appliances, toilets, and sinks for leaks
- Ask a neighbor to check on your home if possible
Christmas Safety Doesn’t Kill the Joy
Holiday safety doesn’t mean being paranoid — it means being prepared. A few small habits can protect your home and keep the season stress-free.
Christmas Home Safety Checklist
- Stay alert in the kitchen during cooking
- Dispose of grease properly
- Shut off your water when leaving town
- Test smoke alarms before guests arrive
- Keep a fire extinguisher accessible
When the Unexpected Happens, PuroClean of Sugar Land Is you Local Emergency Contact
If your Christmas celebration takes an unexpected turn — from kitchen fires to water damage — PuroClean of Sugar Land is here to help. Our trained restoration professionals respond quickly, minimize damage, and guide you through the entire recovery process.
📞 Call us 24/7 at (281) 916-2002
PuroClean of Sugar Land South 