Christmas is a time for us and our neighbours to relax and wind down. Some of us do also work over Christmas taking care of the important functions of our society, such as healthcare. They need their rest in between shifts also during Christmas.

Non-physical gifts are a very ecological solution. However, especially for children, Christmas does also mean physical presents. The importance of recycling is emphasised at Christmas because there is more waste than usual. Sort your waste carefully, flatten cardboard boxes and remember that gift wrap and string are mixed waste, not paper.

In many homes, a Christmas tree is an important part of the festive atmosphere. When the holidays are over, you can leave your tree next to the waste collection. Our waste management partner will collect the trees and recycle them.

Tip! Concern about the climate also impacts choosing a Christmas tree. Potted Christmas trees have become increasingly popular over the last few years. A Christmas tree planted in a pot can be moved to the patio or balcony after Christmas or planted out in the yard later on. In addition, a potted Christmas tree does not need a stand.

Pay careful attention to how much food you buy for Christmas. The most expensive food is the food you throw away unused. Note that many Finnish Christmas staples, such as various types of fish and even ham spoil fairly quickly.

Food scraps go in the bio waste, including roasting grease. Alternatively, you can recycle your roasting grease through the Ham Trick (in Finnish). The Ham Trick recycles roasting grease to be used as renewable diesel.

With ovens and stoves in heavy use during Christmas, make sure you leave nothing flammable on the stovetop.

At Christmas, many decorate their homes with lights and candles. Please be careful with fire. Place candles a safe distance from curtains, decorations and any other objects that could melt due to heat. Only use candleholders made out of fire-resistant materials and do not burn candles to the very end. Place candles and tealights sufficiently far apart and do not leave them unsupervised. Remember to also keep an eye on pets and children when there are lit candles. Do not place outdoor candles on top of plastic garden furniture or near any wooden structures.

The best and most fire-safe Christmas lights are LEDs, which Lumo recommends for decorating both the Christmas tree and the rest of the house. Make sure that any lights you put on the balcony or patio are intended for outdoor use.

Remember to also make sure that your Lumo home has a fire alarm with working batteries. Fire alarms connected to the AC mains are the responsibility of the maintenance company. The easiest way to reach them is via the My Lumo service. Lumo also recommends that you get a fire blanket for your home.

If your home has a sauna, please remember that it is only meant to be used as a sauna – not for drying laundry or hiding presents waiting to be handed out.

Although New Year’s celebrations have a reputation for being boisterous, please remember that the house rules and regulations apply as normal: quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. If you are throwing a party, it would be good to let the neighbours know in advance. You can use either the bulletin board or a Facebook or WhatsApp group if your house has one.

Fireworks are allowed on New Year’s Eve, starting at 6 p.m. Please check the website of your municipality to see where fireworks are allowed. If you are following the Finnish tina tradition at home, please remember fire safety. Used tin can be disposed of as mixed waste.

Things don’t always go as planned, no matter how hard you try. At times like these, it’s a good idea to have home insurance. Is your home insured? Insurance will not compensate you for nuisance and anxiety, but it does help protect you from financial difficulty. Please find further information on the insurance available to residents of Lumo homes here.