Fire Prevention During The Holidays

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

This holiday season, the last thing any homeowner wants to do is worry. When it comes to decorating your home, however, nothing is more unnerving than the thought of a house fire. As the Christmas tree becomes covered in lights, candles flicker on the table, and electrical outlets are stuffed full of plugs, the chances of a fire become much higher. Improper handling of these situations can lead to costly, and sometimes fatal incidents. To avoid this from happening, make sure you’re aware of some the fire hazards that come with the holidays.

Christmas Lights

We’ve all seen dazzling Christmas trees in the living room full of ornaments and twinkling lights, but we sometimes fail to see the danger in this practice. For one, a Christmas tree relies on water to stay alive, and failure to keep it alive will result in the tree drying out. Paired with hundreds of warm Christmas lights intertwined with the branches, this can become a recipe for disaster. To avoid this from happening, make sure you’re keeping your tree properly watered, and you’re investing in Christmas lights that do not give off heat when lit. It’s also important to periodically check that your tree is absorbing the water you’re putting in the base daily.

Lit Candles

While the pleasing aroma of a nice holiday candle can be nice, there’s always the risk that comes along with an open flame at home. Even if you’re certain it’s in the right spot, always consider different factors that may lead to disaster. Keep your candles in an open area with nothing above the flame, as well as away from anything else — including foot traffic. One piece of clothing or fabric is all it takes to ignite a fire that can cause serious damage to your home and to your guests!

Electric Outlets

Let’s face it, everyone loves looking at holiday lights and fixtures around and inside of your home, but the electrical drain can be massive. Consider how many different things you have plugged in at all times, and how much electricity is running through them. Instead of shoving everything into wall outlets, consider investing in a power strip with a surge protector. This way, you can safely keep your home lit for the holidays without worry.

BONUS:

In the colder months, we know keeping warm is important. Portable space heaters prove to be extremely dangerous, often causing a high percentage of home fires in the winter. If you must use these, make sure they are unplugged when not in use and there is no burning odor emitting from the fan or heating unit.

Should you be on the wrong end of a fire this holiday season, make sure your home is being taken care of and restored as soon as possible. SERVPRO of Ronkonkoma has been providing emergency restoration services to homes and business for over 50 years. For 24/7 emergency service, make sure to keep our number handy and contact us with anything you might need!