Christmas Fire Safety & Prevention
Christmas should be a season of joy and giving, but a house fire can turn it into a season of sadness and loss. Many common Christmas traditions raise the risk of fire in a home. By following a few simple extra precautions, celebrants can enjoy the holidays without fear of fire. Does this Spark an idea?
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Candles
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A flickering candle in every window can give your home a warm and welcoming feel during the holidays. A fat, scented candle can add a festive holiday glow to a mantelpiece or coffee table. But if a random spark catches curtains, carpet or woodwork, that tiny flicker can quickly become a dangerous blaze. Choose electric candles for the windows. Place lighted candles in glass or metal holders rather than directly on woodwork or any other flammable surfaces.
Electrical Outlets
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Many Christmas decorations need electricity and decorators must be careful to avoid overloading outlets. Just because you can find away to plug 16 items into a single outlet doesn't mean you should. For example, limit power strips to one per outlet (never plug a power strip into another power strip). If a plug has a ground wire (the third prong sometimes located between and below the two standard plugs), plug it into an outlet that's made for a three-prong plug. Removing or bending the ground wire can cause a dangerous electrical short.
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Outdoor Decorations
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Lights and other decorations intended for outside use are specifically manufactured to withstand weather. If a decoration is not outdoor-rated, keep it in the house. Use outdoor power strips and outlets to avoid shorts and surges. Check all cords for damage before putting them away for the year. Check regularly through the season because deer and other animals may gnaw at the wires. Turn outdoor decorations off at night, so bulbs and circuits don't overheat.
Trees
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No Christmas is complete without a lighted tree. Without proper care, trees can pose a fire hazard. Check lights for damage before decorating your tree and prevent pets from chewing cords. Never install lights or other electric decorations that have frayed or unprotected wires. If you have a real tree, keep it well-watered. Consider buying your tree after Dec. 1 and removing it right after Christmas, so it has less time to dry out. Place trees well away from heating vents.
Cooking
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Christmas baking, parties and family dinners mean people spend a lot of time cooking. Combined with the distractions and stressors of the season, increased kitchen time can create an oft-overlooked fire danger. Tired hostesses may forget to unplug now-empty crock pots. A cook rushing to get the ham out of the oven might grab up a convenient dish towel that can catch in a gas oven's flame. Take time to unplug appliances and turn off ovens and burners. Use oven mitts or potholders to remove casseroles. Tie back long hair and push back dangling sleeves.
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References
- Photo Credit various christmas decorations on the christmas tre image by Elnur from Fotolia.com
