We discussed cooking safety last month because there is so much food preparation for Thanksgiving. Now that we are moving on with the rest of the holiday season, we also want to share decorating tips to ensure a safe and festive season.
The first decorations that come to mind are holiday lights. Inspect all light strings for frayed wires, broken bulbs, or loose connections before use. Discard any damaged sets. Use only lights that are properly labeled for indoor or outdoor use and use them accordingly. Use heavy-duty extension cords. Be sure they are rated for outdoor use if needed for outside decorations. Keep outdoor lights away from water sources including pools, ponds, and wet ground. If possible, use GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets to protect your home if the cords get wet. Water and electricity simply do not mix. Also check extension cords for damage before you use them. Be sure they are placed away from walkways to avoid a trip hazard. Avoid overloading outlets by following the manufacturer’s instructions on the number of light strands that can be safely connected. Set timers for your lights to automatically turn off when you're asleep or away from home to reduce energy consumption and risk of fire. Secure lights firmly to prevent them from falling or causing damage.
If your lighting is coming from candles instead of electric lights, be sure to take extra care since you are using open flames. Place candles on sturdy, non-combustible surfaces away from drafts. Keep lit candles at least 12 inches away from flammable materials like curtains or decorations including the tree and wrapped gifts. Avoid placing decorations using candles in high traffic areas where they could be knocked over accidentally. Never leave burning candles unattended. Be sure all candles are completely extinguished before leaving the room for any period of time longer than a few minutes or before going to bed. Trim the wicks to ¼ inch before lighting to prevent the candle from producing excessive heat and soot. Consider using flameless candles as a safer alternative, especially in homes with children or pets. For Hanukkah, make sure the menorah is made from non-flammable materials. For Kwanzaa, consider a glass or metal Kinara. If your Kinara is made from wood, never leave it unattended.
For those of you using a Christmas tree, consider the options of a real tree versus an artificial tree. If using a real tree, keep it well-watered to prevent drying out and fire hazards. Dispose of this tree promptly after the holidays. No matter how much you water it, a cut tree will dry out over time becoming more of a fire hazard. Christmas trees burn up very quickly producing tremendous heat which easily can cause fire to spread to other areas of your home. Use fire-retardant sprays on artificial trees or purchase an artificial tree that is already fire resistant. With either type of tree, place your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, or heat vents. Avoid overloading the tree with lights. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the number of strands. Use only UL-listed lights and never place lit candles on or near the tree to prevent fire hazards.
Childproofing your holiday decorations is very important for households with younger children or pets. Secure decorations to prevent them from falling on children or pets. Keep small, breakable, or choking hazards out of reach of children. Secure the tree so it will not tip over if a child or pet tries to climb on it. Hang smaller or fragile ornaments high where they are out of reach. If possible, try to place them where they are harder to see from the lower point of view to try to deter children and pets from trying to get them. Avoid tinsel as a decoration. It is attractive and also a choking hazard. Keep candles in any decorations out of the reach of pets and children and never leave a candle burning in a room for any amount of time without adult supervision. Keep children and pets away from the stove when cooking, especially when using hot oil to fry latkes or other foods.
Because there are so many fires during the holiday season, have a working fire extinguisher readily available. Fires at this time of year can be caused by cooking, accidents with holiday decorations, and in our area in northeast Georgia, many homes are just starting to need to use the heat systems in their homes. If you have not had your heating system checked before the cold comes, there may be a risk of fire if it malfunctions. Fireplaces are also being used for the warmth and as decoration when the weather turns colder. Make sure your chimney is clear; the flue is open, and you have a fire screen if children and pets are present. If you must use space heaters or baseboard heaters to warm your home, be sure they are clear of any decorations or other potentially flammable items. Turn them off when there is no one home to supervise their operation and be sure to follow all the safety recommendations that are in the user’s manual for those devices. Keep exits clear of decorations to ensure easy escape in case of fire. Since so many homes are hosting guests during the holiday season, make sure your guests know how to get out quickly if the front door is blocked in an emergency. We stress throughout the year the importance of an emergency plan for your family and pets, but at this time of the year, don’t forget to include guests staying with you.
Remember that December is a peak month for home fires. The holiday celebrations do contribute to this increase. Electrical distribution and the dryness of the tree contribute to most tree fires. Decorations contribute to many home fires in December because they were placed too close to a heat source or operating equipment. Candle fires are less common but still contribute to a significant number of December fires because they were left unattended or placed too close to flammable materials.
Don't let fire and smoke damage ruin your holiday season. If you do experience a home fire during the holiday season, ServiceMaster of Gwinnett and ServiceMaster 5 Points are on call for emergency restoration services 24 hours per day every day of the year. We understand the urgency of restoring your home or business, especially during this special time of year. We will help you with your fire and smoke damage restoration so you can focus on what truly matters: spending quality time with loved ones.
