Article by Philip Brandenburger – Road Department Sales Representative

With the holiday season upon us, we are all looking forward to getting together with family and friends to celebrate. A fun tradition that we all enjoy doing is decorating for the winter holidays, but decorations can increase your risk of a fire at home. As you deck your halls, follow these few simple tips to help make your holidays fire safe.

Tip #1: Holiday Lighting

• Replace any string of lights that are worn or frayed or have any loose bulb connections.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
• Overloading electrical outlets are a leading cause to electrical fires.
• Remember to turn off string lights at night and when you are not home.

Tip #2: What tree to choose for the holidays?

• Real Christmas Trees
  • Check trees for freshness by pulling your hand toward you along the branch. Needles should not fall off.
  • Keep the tree hydrated and watered frequently. A dry Christmas tree can burn very hot and very fast.
• Artificial Trees
  • Look for the “Fire Resistant” label when buying an artificial tree.
• Make sure the placement of your tree is at least 3 feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources.

Tip #3: Candle Choice

• Never leave candles unattended. Make sure candles are blown or snuffed out before leaving the room.
• Flameless candles may be a great alternative if you have children or pets.
• Half of the home decoration fires in December are started by candles.

Tip #4: Residential Fire Sprinkler System

• Consider a residential fire sprinkler system for your home.
• Sprinklered homes have 81% fewer deaths and suffer 58% less damage.

Follow these simple tips to prevent a home fire and have a happy and healthy Holiday with the ones you love most!