Tips to Keep your Home Safe from Fires During the Holidays

12/4/2022 (Permalink)

Keep your Christmas tree watered! If you have a real Christmas tree, be sure that it is kept properly hydrated by regularly watering it.

Tips to Keep your Home Safe from Fires During the Holidays

The holiday season is full of excitement and joy. However, it's also a time when many fires start in homes across the country. In fact, statistics show that nearly half of all fires reported during this period are caused by cooking or heating equipment and decorations. That's why it's important to take some extra precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from holiday fire hazards.

Holiday Decorations

Holiday decorations are a great way to bring cheer and a festive atmosphere to your home, but they can also pose a fire hazard. Many fires caused by holiday decorations start in the kitchen and bathroom. The most common cause of these fires is an electrical fault, such as an overloaded extension cord or faulty light bulb. Other causes include candles and incense.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Use LED or flame-retardant candles, and don't leave them unattended.
• Don't use flammable decorations, including draping your Christmas tree in tinsel or using live trees as centerpieces.
• Don't overload electrical outlets with too many lights (or even one extension cord).

Christmas Trees

When it comes to Christmas trees, we all know the basics. We should keep them watered, away from heat sources, and use fire-retardant decorations. However, there are some other safety tips that may not be as common knowledge:

• Keep your Christmas tree away from the fireplace. The heat of a fire could cause your tree to catch on fire or melt the branches enough that they come off and fall on you when you walk past.
• Keep your Christmas tree away from electrical outlets. If it falls over onto an outlet with any kind of plug-in, then those things can get damaged or lit on fire. 
• Don't put candles near your Christmas tree! Any kind of open flame is dangerous for burning down houses/apartments/condos.

Cooking Safety

It might seem unlikely, but a large majority of holiday fires occur due to cooking mishaps. Don't leave the stove unattended while you're cooking. Don't leave food cooking on the stove when you go to bed at night; turn off all burners and remove any pots or pans before leaving your home—even if it's just for a few hours!

Don't use the oven to heat your house, even if it's cold outside. Portable heaters can cause fires too; always keep them away from flammable materials like clothing, curtains and furniture and make sure they don't tip over or fall into anything that can catch fire easily.

Electrical Safety

It may seem obvious, but you should never overload electrical outlets. Holiday lights and other decorations require a lot of power, so it's best not to plug them in directly into your outlet. Instead, use extension cords that have their own ground fault circuit interrupter built in. This will prevent any water or other hazards from flowing through your Claycomo, MO home's electrical system and potentially causing a fire or electrocution hazard. If any of your holiday lights or decorations have damaged or cracked cords, make sure you replace them immediately.

Precautions to Keep in Mind 

Be careful with candles. Many people love to light up a candle or two during their winter holiday festivities, but they should be aware of the potential hazards involved. Candles can ignite easily if they are placed too close to drapes or other flammable materials. It's also important to keep an eye on candles, as they may burn down more quickly than expected and result in a fire if left unattended for too long.

Keep your Christmas tree watered! If you have a real Christmas tree, be sure that it is kept properly hydrated by regularly watering it. 

Holiday fires are a serious threat, but they’re also preventable. By taking a few simple precautions, you can enjoy your holiday season with peace of mind.