December has a way of bringing everyone together. Kids are home from school, relatives come to stay the night, and kitchens and living rooms stay full well past bedtime. It’s a season built on tradition and togetherness—but it’s also the time of year when homes face the highest risk of fires, carbon monoxide incidents, and electrical hazards.

December brings a welcome boost in sales for many small businesses—but it also introduces unique security challenges. Reduced staffing, irregular employee schedules, early closures, and extended after-hours leave businesses more vulnerable to theft and vandalism than at any other time of year.