As the holidays approach, it’s time to think about fire safety. Overcooking a dish in the oven for too long can cause sparks. When those sparks come near something flammable, furniture stuffing, or a strand of Christmas lights, your house could end up in flames! Ignoring these safety tips could make your house look more like a winter wonderland.
Family, the aroma of a roast turkey, and a big ol’ tree are just a few things we enjoy about the holiday season. However, if a fire breaks out while basting the turkey, things might go tragically wrong! Unfortunately, the holidays are also when we overload our systems and clutter our homes with flammable decorations. And who is the most likely innocent perpetrator? Your favourite Christmas tree.
Did electrical issues cause 25% of house Christmas tree fires? And that one in four fires is caused by a heat source too close to the tree? With that in mind, here are some Christmas tree safety precautions, as well as some other hazards to be aware of as we approach the holiday season:
Tips for Choosing a Fresh Christmas Tree
Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not easily break. When a tree is cut, its needles should not shed easily. Keep the tree base drying out, and keep it filled with water. The dryer the tree, the greater risk of fire.
– Keep It Away From Heat Sources: Keep your tree away from heaters, fireplaces, radiators, candles, and heat vents. The branches, needles, and decorations can readily catch fire and combust if exposed to heat.
– Inspect Your Lights: Ensure that your interior and outdoor Christmas lights have been safely tested in a lab. Any frayed or worn cables, as well as any damaged lights and bulbs, should be discarded or recycled.
Be sure to turn off your Christmas tree lights before you go to bed and leave your home. Even though they look gorgeous and sparkling at night, it’s not worth the risk.
– Don’t Obstruct an Exit: It’s rarely something we think about, but make sure your tree isn’t blocking an exit into or out of your home. In a fire, this simple decision might make all the difference.
Other Holiday Dangers to Be Aware Of
Christmas trees aren’t the only seasonal dangers to be cautious of this holiday season. Candles, fires, dryers, and heaters can also be hazardous, especially when used in conjunction with the chilly weather associated with the holidays.
Fireplaces:
Heaters for Small Spaces
Always use space heaters with caution because they are a common fire hazard. Space heaters should never be used with an extension cord or placed near anything flammable, including Christmas trees, garlands, and tablecloths.
Candles
Of course, candles can create a festive atmosphere but also cause many fires yearly. It is especially true during the holidays, when Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve are peak candle fire days. When decorating candles, use solid candle holders to keep them from spilling over and keep them away from all combustible materials. Never, even for a few minutes, leave a candle burning unattended.
Cord extenders
Never use ragged, flimsy, low-quality, or outdated extension cables. Invest in high-quality, heavy-duty cords. After all, they might be able to prevent a fire from starting. Remember that extension cords are only intended to be a temporary solution when your regular appliance cords can’t reach an area, so if your area. Therefore, it’s wise to ask your electrician to install permanent power in the area where you need it.
Dryers
The number of dryer fires rises throughout the winter, peaking in January. It is primarily due to them being overused during the colder months and needing to be adequately maintained or serviced throughout the year. Always empty the lint screen regularly since trapped lint is a serious fire hazard. Remove any snow from the exterior opening of the dryer vent as well. It can cause the vent line to freeze, requiring the dryer to work harder and potentially causing a fire or a buildup of carbon monoxide. A specialist should clean the dryer and the vent pipe once a year.
Heating Devices: Fireplaces and Chimneys
Check to ensure that your fireplace is in proper working order. Inspect the flue for cracks or other flaws, and ensure the fireplace screen is in safe working order. There should never be burning candles or incense within reach of the fireplace if you have children or pets. Consider turning off or moving your gas logs if a small child enters the room.
According to studies, failure to clean chimneys is a key contributor to home fires. Have a skilled chimney sweep inspect your fireplace and chimney once a year. Your fireplace and chimney must be in full working order before using them.
If you have a gas fireplace, always maintain a glass or metal screen in place while the fire is blazing, and make sure it fits snugly. It will keep sparks and embers from escaping the fireplace. To avoid starting a fire, keep all flammable things, including furniture and clothing, at least 36 inches from the front of the fireplace.
‘We are open over the holidays.
So there are a few simple strategies to secure your house and loved ones this holiday season. There’s nothing worse than a fire over the holidays. If you do have a fire, make sure to contact your local Reztor Restoration. Our team of experts is skilled at fire and smoke damage restoration and can get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.
We are open 24-hours a day, including holidays. Reztor Restoration will do everything possible to get your life back on track so you can resume roasting that turkey. Call us for clarification on holiday fire safety tips or questions. You can reach us at 1800 739 867. We would love to talk to you!
