Prevent Fires During the Holidays

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

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Fall and winter holidays are exciting times to gather with family and friends, enjoy decorations and eat festive foods. Unfortunately, these holiday festivities can also present unique fire hazards. There are more residential fires during the colder months of the year, and are primarily caused by cooking, electrical malfunctions, and heating, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Don’t let a house fire take the joy out of celebrating the holidays, by taking appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of your guests and home.

Kitchen

According to the NFPA, cooking accounted for 49% of home fires, was the leading cause of injuries and was the second contributing factor of fire-related deaths.

• Keep flammable items away from the stovetop, including oven mitts, potholders, food packaging and dishtowels. Avoid wearing loose clothing, that could catch fire on burners.
• Never leave food cooking unattended. When using the stovetop, stay in the kitchen. Set a timer if you have something in the oven.
• Exercise caution when handling hot liquids and foods, as steam or splashes can cause serious burns, as well as the pans and serving dishes they are in.
• Keep the floor clear of any tripping hazards. Pets should be kept in another room where they won’t risk getting under your feet.
• Be alert while using the stove. If you are tired or have consumed alcohol, it may be best to let someone else take over.
• Place hot liquids and foods in the center of the table, where they are less likely to be knocked over.
• To avoid any accidental burns, children should stay at least 3 feet away from the stove.

Decorations & Light Displays

Fresh Christmas trees can set the tone for the holiday season, but they can also be a nightmare in the event of a fire. About a third of tree fires are caused by electrical problems and one in five home fires that started with a Christmas tree were too close to a heat source.

• Keep fresh tree stands filled with water at all times, and when the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.
• Make sure to inspect lights for frayed wire or other defects before use and use only non-flammable decorations.
• Real-flame candles add a beautiful ambience to the holiday festivities, but their use adds a degree of risk for fire.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, including furniture, drapes, bedding, carpet, books, paper, and flammable decorations.
• Lit candles should be in sight and blow them out when you leave a room or go to bed.
• Decorative lights give many homes and neighborhoods a festive glow during the long winter nights. Just be mindful not to overcrowd outlets. Electrical malfunctions are the cause of half of all devastating residential fires.
• Follow the manufacture’s directions when using lights and always unplug the lights before you go to bed or leave your home. 

Space Heaters

When the temperature drops, portable space heaters can be a convenient source of supplemental heat for your home. Make sure yours using yours correctly.

• Check the cord for cracks and make sure the plug isn’t broken. Make sure the connection is secure. If the cord or plug is frayed or damaged, do not use the space heater.
• When leaving the room or sleeping turn the space heater off.
• Never let pets or children play too close to the heater.
• Do not leave space heater in high traffic areas because they are a tripping hazard.
• Never use an extension cord or power strip to power space heaters.
• Make sure space heaters are kept at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.
• A space heater is meant to provide supplemental heat only. They should never be used to warm linens, cook food or dry clothing.

If disaster strikes, call the fire and water restoration specialists at SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa great Lakes.