Christmas means many things to many people, but we can probably all agree that it's a wonderful time of the year, and this is a good year to appreciate it.

With all of the unrest, uncertainty, and unease caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the tensions of the political campaigns, and the economic distress, Christmas can provide a brief season of normalcy.

That being said, there is still the unfortunate and lingering specter of the coronavirus that must be acknowledged. 

Staying Safe and Healthy for the Holidays

Even with the various restrictions in different states and communities, the holiday season still means that people will be traveling, visiting, and generally interacting in close quarters. While that doesn't mean people will necessarily get sick, it does mean that extra precautions are called for.

Along with the usual cleaning that gets done for the holidays - before, during, and after - there will be an added level of disinfecting and sanitizing that should be done.

Additionally, as you wrap up your Christmas morning (or evening!) it's a good idea to clear out all of the trash, debris, and other household junk items that accumulate. And, once all the junk and  excess clutter has been gotten rid of, it's a good idea to do some major cleaning. 

If someone in your home has been sick with, or tested positive for COVID-19, then it's essential to clean and disinfect so as to ensure that your home is a safe environment. Keep in mind, too, that the terms "Clean" and "Disinfect" do not quite mean the same thing, at least according to the CDC's definitions:

Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.

If your Christmas celebration has been limited to just a handful of immediate family or close friends, and you are assured that no one has been sick or exposed to the coronavirus, then it is probably sufficient to simply clean and disinfect.

If, however, you have any uncertainty about that, it may be a good idea to play it safe by cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing your home.

And here's a handy checklist that we created to help you with that task:

Staying Safe and Healthy Indoors and Out

While sickness is a primary concern this year with all the emphasis on COVID-19, it would be unwise to disregard the other safety hazards that plague holiday celebrations and get-togethers every year.

Here's a short list of some of the most common causes of holiday-time accidents adapted from an article at Romper.com,

Stairway Accidents

The National Health Service noted that the stairs can be the site of many accidents during the Christmas holiday, especially for those who have been drinking or are tired. Be sure to keep  staircases free from objects and well lit during this time.

Electric Shock

According to Meridian Integrative Wellness, getting electric shock from putting up decorations is a common accident They noted that more than 5,000 people are treated for both indoor and outdoor electric shock during the holidays due to careless decorating.

Fires From Outside Lights

Forbes noted that outdoor lights can start fires if they are not properly set up. Using inside extension cords outside is one issue since they are not waterproof and can easily catch fire or cause electric shocks.

Wrapping Paper In The Fireplace

Burning your wrapping paper in the fireplace may seem like a good thing to do on Christmas Day. But Accident Doctor points out that, because wrapping paper burns quickly and intensely, it can cause unexpected issues.

Kitchen Injuries

Because people spend more time in the kitchen during the Christmas season, many accidents happen there. According to Consumer Reports, cooking fires and injuries from kitchen appliances are some of the most common holiday accidents.

At Junk King, our wish for you is to have a truly safe and healthy holiday season and to be able to usher in a New Year for you and yours!

Got Holiday Junk? Call Your Local Pro Junk Removal Team!

Junk King offers efficient, safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly junk hauling services so you don’t need to worry about how to dispose of your excess junk or extra-large trash items.

And, if you need our services several times during a clean out project, or just one time, our hauling professionals will ensure that all the junk and debris is out of your way so that you can get on with your life or work.

We can be at your home or workplace in mere minutes, so call us today! Our team is fully insured and well-trained, so you can trust them to get rid of all your unwanted items in a professional and courteous fashion.

And one of the best things about hiring Junk King is that we recycle most of the material we pick up. This is proof of our commitment to being an eco-friendly removal service. If you have questions about what we do, give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK (5865).