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!